PRIMAVERA SIDE REACH THE ROUND OF 16: 2‑1 WIN AGAINST FC SALZBURG
Youth Teams
AC Milan overcame FC Salzburg at the PUMA House of Football to secure a historic qualification to the UEFA Youth League Round of 16 for the second time since 2014. Thanks to this win at home, the Rossoneri won Group E with an unbeaten record, having won four and drawn two of their six matches in the tournament. Abate's boys will find out their next opponents in the UEFA draw on 13 February, which will determine who they will face on 28 February or 1 March.
The win over the Austrians was the result of a tremendous cohesive performance, which came against a strong team that came to Milan with the aim of winning and taking first place. Our boys were able to contain the Austrians' pressure well in the first half - with centre-backs Coubis and Simić putting in a solid performance - and then brought home the win in the second. They overturned Zeteny's opener with two quickfire goals through Lazetić and Alesi, both assisted by Gala. The Rossoneri can celebrate their achievement, but there's no time for a break; they are back in action on Sunday at home to Atalanta in Primavera 1. Keep it up, lads!
WATCH: AC MILAN v FC SALZBURG GALLERY
THE MATCH
The visitors started off aggressively and threatened for the first time after just five minutes: Konaté got in behind the Rossoneri defence and, all alone in the penalty area, was denied by Nava, who produced a stunning stop. AC Milan looked to hit back but Gala sent his long-range effort wide of the post. The Austrians weren't about to let up and had a double chance in the 14th minute. First, Nava denied Konatè, and then Simić saved his side with a clearance to keep out Zeteny's effort on the rebound. In the 23rd minute, Salzburg came close to scoring from a corner as the ball dropped to Konaté in space but he blazed over from a good position. In the final few minutes, substitute Lechner found himself in a personal battle with Nava but the Rossoneri goalkeeper denied him on three occasions and kept the score at 0-0.
FC Salzburg capitalised on their attacking pressure at the start of the second half and in the 48th minute, Zeteny headed from close range. The opener, however, galvanised Abate's boys, who reacted well, scoring two goals in quick succession. In the 50th minute, Lazetić latched onto Gala's through ball and fired past Krumrey with a right-footed effort into the bottom corner. There was no time for the Austrians to reorganise before AC Milan struck again: Gala again provided the killer pass, this time for Alesi, who got into the box and handed his side the lead. The Rossoneri dug deep to defend the result and, as a result, the guests struggled to create clear-cut chances to bring themselves level. Konaté twice came close, first from outside the box in the 55th minute and then with a header in the 59th minute, but the ball flew over the crossbar in both cases. Two free-kicks in the final minute meant AC Milan went close to scoring, but Sia's shot was unintentionally blocked by Mangiameli. It ended 2-1.
THE TABLE
AC MILAN 2-1 FC SALZBURG
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Simić, Bartesaghi; Gala, Pluvio (69' Eletu), Stalmach (69' Zeroli); Scotti (82' Bozzolan), Lazetić (65' Mangiameli), Alesi (82' Sia). Subs: Rugginenti, Torriani; Nsiala, Paloschi. Coach: Abate.
FC SALZBURG (4-3-3): Krumrey; Gevorgyan, Baidoo, Wallner, Pejazic (78' Reischl); Sadeqi (64' Yeo), Sahin (78' Sulzbacher), Hofer; Crescenti (78' Lechner) (78' Trummer), Zeteny, Konaté. Subs: Toth; Moswitzer. Coach: Ingolitsch.
Referee: Igor Pajac (CRO).
Goals: 48' Zeteny (S), 50' Lazetić (M), 52' Alesi (M).
Booked: 28' Simić (M), 50' Konaté (S), 71' Hofer (S), 83' Coubis (M), 88' Zeteny (S), 90' Wallner (S).
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