THE PRIMAVERA COME FROM BEHIND TO DRAW
Youth Teams
Coach Abate’s side picked up a precious point against Napoli on matchday 30 of the Primavera 1 division. Following three consecutive wins, today’s 1-1 draw on the road extends AC Milan’s unbeaten run and means that they maintain a healthy advantage over the Partenopei, who currently occupy a playout position in the table. After an even first half, the hosts, who had taken the lead, tried to keep the Rossoneri at bay with a compact display after the restart. And they did so with success until AC Milan were awarded a penalty and Alesi converted on the rebound during the closing stages.
The Diavolo played high up the pitch and piled on the pressure in the second period, once again displaying the desire to never give up. In the end, they managed to secure an important result, one which will allow them to play with renewed conviction and a sense of calm as the season draws to an end. Among today’s positives, in addition to Chaka Traorè’s energy, there was the positive impact of the substitutes, in particular Gabriele Alesi, whose equaliser saw the Rossoneri move up to 40 points. The team’s next game will be at the PUMA Hose of Football: on Friday 12 May, a derby showdown against Inter awaits.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM NAPOLI v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri had the first effort as Traorè tested Boffelli with a long-range effort in the seventh minute. However, the hosts took the lead with their opening shot of the game: Spavone escaped down the right and sent in a ball for Rossi, who only had to tap it in (17’). AC Milan looked to respond immediately, with El Hilali calling the Napoli goalkeeper into action with two attempts from the edge of the box (20’ and 25’). There were chances for either side after the half-hour mark: first, Boffelli kept out Zeroli’s powerful strike, while Nava then thwarted Iaccarino. Half-time.
The Rossoneri controlled proceedings at the start of the second half, but Napoli were defending well and not allowing their opponents space to play in. Chaka tried to provide some inspiration with promising pieces of individual play, while Victor was denied twice by Boffelli after two left-footed efforts from long range (79’). AC Milan kept on pushing: Alesi came close to finishing off Bozzolan’s assist, while, three minutes later, Longhi’s shot from inside the box came off Hysaj’s back and went behind for a corner. The Diavolo deservedly drew level in the 86th minute: Gioielli was penalised for handball in the box, and Alesi managed to convert on the rebound after his penalty had been saved by Boffelli. No further goals were scored and it finished 1-1.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“It was a difficult game and we’ve come away with an excellent point,” said Coach Ignazio Abate. “I’m happy with the character the lads showed; I saw spirit and quality. We produced a mature team performance. It was our third match in a week, and it wasn’t easy to play like we did. Now, we’ll recuperate and start thinking about the derby.”
MATCH DETAILS
NAPOLI 1-1 AC MILAN
NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Boffelli; D'Avino, Hysaj, Obaretin; Lamine (84' Bonavita), Gioielli, Iaccarino (78' Alastuey), Acampa; Spavone (78' Giannini), Koffi (71' Russo); Rossi (84' Pesce). Subs: Turi; Nosegbe-Suško, Sequino. Coach: Frustalupi.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Casali, Coubis, Nsiala, Bozzolan; Victor (71' Stalmach), Foglio (46' Gala), Zeroli (71' Alesi); Cuenca (66' Longhi), El Hilali (78' Sia), Traorè. Subs: Bartoccioni, Pseftis; Andrews, Malaspina, Paloschi, Simić. Coach: Abate.
Referee: Fiero from Pistoia.
Goals: 17' Rossi (N), 86' Alesi (M).
Booked: 38' Hysaj (N), 55' Zeroli (M), 72' Boffelli (N), 80' Russo (N), 83' Abate (M), 93' Stalmach (M).
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