PRIMAVERA WIN IT AT THE END: ATALANTA DEFEATED 3‑2
Youth Teams
And at the end came Diego Sia. After scoring in the second half to seal the win over Lecce, the Rossoneri youngster scored in the 90th minute to secure a vital three points away to Atalanta. AC Milan Primavera won 3-2 to move up to 11th place and, above all, 7 points clear of any relegation trouble. After El Hilali had opened the scoring 15 minutes in, the hosts launched a comeback, turning the match around with a brace from Vlahović to go into the break ahead.
In the second half, however, came the reaction of pride and style from Abate's team: first the equaliser from the excellent Hugo Cuenca, then Sia's winner. The Primavera deserved to win after missing many second half chances, and this was an important win with just five league games to go. After a third straight victory in the league, there is another crucial game as they look to secure their place in the league: Abate's side will travel to Napoli, who sit third from bottom, this weekend at 10:30 CEST on Sunday 7 May. Forza ragazzi!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM ATALANTA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a slow start in Zingonia, with no early chances of note. The first goal, however, gave the Rossoneri the lead: on the quarter hour mark, Youns El Hilali's goal from Cuenca's assist made it 1-0 to Abate's side. AC Milan's goal got the match going: Atalanta looked to respond, and in the 19th minute De Nipoti came close from an effort in the box. The Orobici kept pushing, and in the 33rd minute the hosts equalised, with Vlahović scoring from inside the box, leaving Nava no chance. 38 minutes in, Atalanta went ahead, again through Vlahović. AC Milan continued to absorb pressure and De Nipoti's left-footed shot forced Nava into a good save, before the sides went into half-time at 2-1.
The second half started with two changes from Coach Abate - Nsiala and Sia came on - and a more proactive and aggressive AC Milan. The Rossoneri's insistence was rewarded in the 54th minute, as Hugo Cuenca grabbed an equaliser: a splendid header from the Paraguayan, who beat Pardel to score his second league goal. Belief grew, and so did attacking intent: on the hour mark, Stalmach sent a volley over after a good counter-attack set up by Cuenca. After an excellent half-hour from the Rossoneri, Atalanta tried to slow down the game, hoping toi secure a point. Just as a draw seemed to be inevitable, in the 90th minute AC Milan found a winner: Diego Sia's clever finish secured an important and well-deserved win. It ended 3-2 to AC Milan!
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
"We all knew the importance of this match for us," said coach Ignazio Abate. "I'm happy with the spirit we showed on the pitch. The start was excellent, with a very good 20 minutes, but after going ahead, the level dropped and we suffered. At half time we regrouped and produced a great second half, full of character. We didn't want to lose, this is now the sixth win in the last eight games and this means that we are going in the right direction. We want to finish the season well: now go to Napoli. It will be a tricky game but we will go there and give it our all."
MATCH DETAILS
ATALANTA 2-3 AC MILAN
ATALANTA (3-5-2): Pardel; Tornaghi (69' Del Lungo), Guerini, Regonesi; Palestra, Roaldsøy, Chiwisa (88' Falleni), Colombo, Muhameti (81' Riccio); De Nipoti, Vlahović (81' Vavassori). Subs: Illipronti; Saleh, Omar, Stabile, Pérez, Armstrong, Bevilacqua. Coach: Fioretto.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Casali, Coubis, Simić, Bartesaghi (46' Nsiala); Victor, Stalmach (61' Gala), Zeroli; Cuenca (76' Longhi), El Hilali (87' Alesi), Traorè (46' Sia). Subs: Bartoccioni, Torriani; D'Alessio, Malaspina, Paloschi; Foglio. Coach: Abate.
Referee: Delrio from Reggio Emilia.
Goals: 15' El Hilali (M), 33' and 38' Vlahović (A), 54' Cuenca (M), 90' Sia (M).
Booked: 20' Palestra (A), 27' Stalmach (M), 36' Bartesaghi (M), 90'+1 Alesi (M).
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