TRAORÈ BOOSTS THE PRIMAVERA: 1‑0 OVER BOLOGNA
Youth Teams
No two without three for Ignazio Abate's Primavera team: after Ruh Lviv and Cagliari, the young AC Milan side beat Bologna 1-0 to win their third match in a row in all competitions. The afternoon at the PUMA House of Football was decided by a splendid goal by Chaka Traorè, his sixth in the league this season: a right-footed shot at the end of a dribble that was unsavable for visiting goalkeeper Franzini. A well-deserved win for the Rossoneri, which came at the end of a hard-fought match that was lit up in the second half after a relatively uneventful first half.
There were many positive signs in what was the first home league win in 2023: another clean sheet - the third in a row - with Nava starring between the posts; strong in the build-up phase where Bakoune on the right and Stalmach in the middle stood out in particular; an inspired Traorè up front alongside Cuenca and Mangiameli, who created well. Also of note was Andrews' season debut at the end. Now the Rossoneri have an appointment with history: Tuesday 14th, 16:00 CET, Atlético Madrid will arrive in Milan. 90 minutes - live on Milan TV and AC Milan Official App - that offers a place in the Final Four of the Youth League.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v BOLOGNA
MATCH REPORT
There was a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the Cutro tragedy before kick-off. After an uneventful opening 15 minutes, the first knocking-on-the-door came in the 16th minute when Cuenca moved inside and hit a powerful left-footer from the edge of the box that was met by a Franzini punch. In the 31st minute, a Bakoune cross had a menacing trajectory which Franzini again repelled for a corner: on this corner, Nsiala's effort was well struck, but ended up high over the crossbar. The visitors' first chance of the game came in the 35th minute when Raimondo's effort in the box grazed the post of Nava's net. It was the last highlight of a first half that, for the most part, flowed without much emotion.
The second period began with a change - Victor replacing Foglio - and an interesting chance for Mangiameli, who advanced and let off a shot that caught Franzini off-guard: the ball went just wide. Both teams' intensity grew, and in the 56th minute Nava flew to repel Anatriello's left-footed shot. Two minutes later the Rossoneri took the lead. It was all Chaka Traorè's doing: he received the ball on the left, dribbled into the centre of the box and struck a right-footed shot from 25 yards out that clipped the post before settling into the net. AC Milan continued to attack, and, in the 68th minute, Stalmach put a fine cross from Bakoune wide. In the 78th minute, Mangiameli and Alesi narrowly missed the finishing touch on Sia's dangerous cross. The intensity from both teams remained high but the chances were few and far between: after 4 minutes of added time it was 1-0 to AC Milan at the final whistle.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-0 BOLOGNA
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Simić, Nsiala, Bartesaghi; Foglio (46' Victor), Stalmach (85' Malaspina), Zeroli; Cuenca (59' Alesi), Mangiameli (85' Andrews), Traorè (63' Sia). Subs: Bartoccioni, Pseftis; Bozzolan, Casali, Paloschi; Pluvio; El Hilali, Longhi. Coach: Abate.
BOLOGNA (3-4-1-2): Franzini; Diop, Stivanello, Motolese; Wallius (76' Solda), Rosetti (76' Busato), Maltoni (63' Bartha), Corazza; Urbanski; Anatriello (76' Ebone), Raimondo. Subs: Gasperini, Raffaelli; Hodzic, Menegazzo; Mazia. Coach: Vigiani.
Referee: Ramondino from Palermo.
Goal: 58' Traorè (M).
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