PRIMAVERA SAIL INTO FINAL FOUR! ATLETICO DEFEATED 2‑0
Youth Teams
The dream continues, becoming reality and history at the same time. AC Milan Primavera are, for the first time, among the top four youth teams in Europe. The Rossoneri won 2-0 - goals from Stalmach in the first half and El Hilali in the second half - in the Youth League quarter-final against Atlético Madrid, securing their place for the final act in Nyon. On 21 April, Coubis and his team-mates will face the winner of Borussia Dortmund v Hajduk Split for a place in the final on Monday 24 April. An exceptional result that rewards the growth of a group that has been a great story of the European season since the group stage.
This brings the number of victories this European season to six, with another clean sheet - the fourth in a row in all competitions - and a truly perfect performance: solid and cynical in the first half, mature and creative in the second half as they calmly controlled the game with their lead. Applause goes to everyone, from Coach Abate to all the Rossoneri involved in this exhilarating ride, which took the Rossoneri youth sector to a place where it had never gone before this season. After this great afternoon, the young Rossoneri are ready to dive back into the league season: Sunday 19 13:00 CET, a demanding away match in Empoli, before the international break.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ATLÉTICO MADRID
MATCH REPORT
In front of the packed stands of the PUMA House of Football - also present were Paolo Maldini and Frederic Massara as well as several members of Coach Pioli's staff - it was Atlético who had a lot of possession in the opening minutes with Boñar's header in the 11th minute coming as the best chance. It was, however, AC Milan's great goal that broke the deadlock: in the 12th minute, a quick counter from defence to attack finished off by Bakoune's cross for Stalmach, who scored his second goal of the season. The goal came against the run of play, with the visitors in possession and AC Milan defending with structure and attention. In the 29th minute, Nava was equal on El Jebari's effort in the box, while in the 42nd minute Muñoz's attempt grazed the post. The first half ended with a yellow for diving for Traorè, after contact in the penalty area with a Spanish defender.
No changes were made ahead of the second half which began slowly. In the 54th minute, Nava again did welll to deny Raihani, while in the 60th minute Iturbe's denied Traorè from a shooting chance. A great chance in the 63rd minute for Cuenca, who did well to make space for himself but shot over from an excellent position. In the 67th minute AC Milan doubled their lead; Traorè found El Hilali, whose powerful effort was first tipped against the post and then past Iturbe. In the 71st minute a nice move between Bozzolan and Traorè allowed Andrea to shoot and Iturbe again had to turn it away. Abate's team gave little away - and the final minutes became a countdown to the final whistle, the one that sent AC Milan Primavera to Nyon!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-0 ATLÉTICO MADRID
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Simić, Bozzolan; Stalmach (74' Malaspina), Victor, Zeroli; Cuenca (79' Alesi), El Hilali (85' Nsiala), Traorè (79' Sia). Subs: Bartoccioni; Bartesaghi; Mangiameli. Coach: Abate.
ATLÉTICO MADRID (4-4-2): Iturbe; Boñar (69' Vasiljevic), Kostis, Moreno (61' Mbomio), Gonzalez (61' Díaz); Santamaría (69' Urzain), Gismera, Muñoz, El Jebari; Niño (72' Gómez), Raihani. Subs: Esquivel; Díaz Igual. Coach: Torres.
Referee: Gishamer (Austria).
Goals: 12' Stalmach (M), 67' El Hilali (M).
Booked: 7' Bakoune (M), 43' Traorè (M), 44' Bozzolan (M), 45'+1 Moreno (A), 89' Muñoz (A).
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