PRIMAVERA FALL SHORT: 2-1 DEFEAT AGAINST FIORENTINA

The opportunity for a first home win of 2023 slipped away for AC Milan Primavera, who narrowly lost to Fiorentina 2-1 at the PUMA House of Football on matchday 21 of the Primavera 1 championship. A result that was decided by three goals scored in the opening 45 minutes: the first, scored after 4 minutes by Di Stefano, was responded to by Hugo Cuenca with his first league goal. Then there was a great goal by Berti, at the end of the first half, that decided a match played with courage and personality by Abate's team, who repeatedly came close to a deserved equaliser in the second half.

Although the final outcome did not favour the young Rossoneri, there were several positive takeaways from an afternoon that also saw the return of two of the group's key players - captain Andrei Coubis and Adam Bakoune - and the season debut of Leonardo D'Alessio, who came on at the end of the game after a long period of inactivity due to injury. The table does not make for pretty viewing, but there will be plenty of opportunities, starting with the March fixtures, to relaunch themselves: before the domestic fixtures, however, AC Milan Primavera will compete in the historic Youth League round of 16 on Tuesday 28 against Ukrainian side Ruh Lviv.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v FIORENTINA

MATCH REPORT
Bakoune and Coubis were back in the Rossoneri side from kick-off, but the game began with the Viola taking the lead in the 4th minute: Di Stefano beat Nava with a finish from inside the six-yard box. Fiorentina went close to doubling the lead in the 7th minute, when Nava stretched out to save a header from Comuzzo. Having overcome the blow of going behind early, AC Milan grew in possession and equalised in the 11th minute, when Bozzolan's cross found Cuenca, who scored his first goal of the season for the Primavera team. In the 18th minute a counter-attack, inspired by El Hilali, was to no avail with Martinelli catching Stalmach's effort. Fiorentina broke AC Milan's dominance with a great goal, on 36', to go 2-1 up: a right-footed shot from 25 metres by Berti that gave Nava no chance.

The second half began with a substitution - Traorè for Alesi - and a Rossoneri chance, a right-footed volley by Stalmach blocked by the visiting defence. In the 51st minute the Viola came forward again and Comuzzo hit the post from a free-kick, while three minutes later it was Biagetti who closed down El Hilali he could get a shot off. The game became heated: 64 minutes, Cuenca again found El Hilali, whose right-footed cross was parried by Martinelli. The Rossoneri pushed on. 76', Victor's powerful left-footer from 30 yards grazed the crossbar. In the 90th minute, Nava's goalkeeping prowess, who with a great reflex save denied Di Stefano: it was the last chance of a match that ends with the Rossoneri giving it their all in the second half, but without any success.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-2 FIORENTINA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune (88' D'Alessio), Coubis, Simić, Bozzolan; Stalmach, Victor (76' Foglio), Zeroli (76' Mangiameli); Cuenca (67' Sia), El Hilali, Alesi (46' Traorè). Subs: Bartoccioni, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Casali, Malaspina, Nsiala, Paloschi; Gala; Longhi. Coach: Abate.

FIORENTINA (3-5-2): Martinelli; Biagetti, Comuzzo, Lucchesi; Kayode, Berti (88' Nardi), Amatucci, Falconi (76' Vitolo), Favasulli (76' Gentile); Di Stefano, Toçi. Subs: Tognetti, Vannucchi; Elia; Harder, Romani; Capasso, Presta, Sene. Coach: Aquilani.

Referee: Kumara from Verona.
Goals: 4' Di Stefano (F), 11' Cuenca (M), 36' Berti (F).
Booked: 51' Victor (M), 65' Bakoune (M), 85' Lucchesi (F), 88' Simić (M), 93' Gentile (F).

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