A BITTER DRAW FOR THE PRIMAVERA

When it happens like that, it hurts. The Rossoneri were fantastic in the first half, playing some high-quality football and taking a fully deserved three-goal lead thanks to a Camarda brace and Sia’s finish. However, with Abate’s side seemingly heading for victory, they dropped off in the closing stages, conceding three goals in a matter of minutes. Football can be cruel, and we’ve been forced to settle for a 3-3 draw after perhaps one of our best performances this season. It will, however, serve as a lesson, and the Rossoneri can certainly be pleased with all the good things they did in the opening period, including the fantastic move for Sia’s goal and Camarda’s brilliant header to make it 3-0.

The players will inevitably be downbeat; after all, the display they produced for 81 minutes isn’t reflected in the final result. Now, however, they need to push the reset button, learn from their mistakes and keep moving forward. Because this is the only way to grow, and today’s disappointment and anger will be the fuel for tomorrow’s successes. Next up is a trip to face Genoa in a week’s time, after which the derby (on home soil) and the Youth League round of 16 will arrive. There’s still a long way to go, and this team have all the qualities - both technical and on a human level - to aim for big objectives.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v SASSUOLO

MATCH REPORT
It was a wonderful first-half performance from Abate’s side, who made the most of the spaces and were dangerous every time they came forward. Their first attempts came from outside the box: Bakoune tested the goalkeeper, while Bartesaghi and Scotti failed to hit the target. The Rossoneri were playing some excellent football in transition as Sassuolo struggled to keep up with the pace. The opener came in the 30th minute through Camarda, who was fouled in the box and stepped up to convert the resulting penalty with a precise and powerful strike into the corner. New spaces opened up, and, in the 38th minute, the Diavolo put together a superb team move that ended with Sia tapping home a cross from Bakoune to make it 2-0. The third goal came on the stroke of half-time through Francesco Camarda, who brushed aside his marker to head Bartesaghi’s cross into the net.

Sassuolo started the second half with the aim of getting back into it and called Nava into action on a few occasions. Nevertheless, AC Milan threatened on the counter, first through Scotti - Theiner made the save - and then through Bonomi, but Simmelhack got in the way of his effort (76’). The Rossoneri seemed to be cruising to victory but gave the ball away in the 84th minute, allowing Sassuolo to pull one back through Russo. The Neroverdi gained confidence from the goal and made it 3-2 through Vedovati (88’), before Knezovic netted from the edge of the box to rescue a 3-3 draw for the visitors.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 3-3 SASSUOLO

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Nava; Bakoune (81' Cappelletti), Parmiggiani, Nsiala, Bartesaghi (81' Perera); Malaspina (68' Bonomi), Stalmach; Scotti, Sala, Sia (74' Liberali); Camarda (74' Simmelhack). Subs: Raveyre; Batistini, Lamorte, Mancioppi, Paloschi, Tezzele. Coach: Abate. 

SASSUOLO (4-3-1-2): Theiner; Parlato (66' Cinquegrano), Loeffen, Corradini, Falasca (78' Piantedosi); Leone (84' Rovatti), Lopes (66' Knezovic), Kumi; Bruno; Caragea, Russo. Subs: Scacchetti; Beconcini, Di Bitonto, Neophytou, Okojie, Ravaioli. Coach: Bigica. 

Referee: Sacchi from Macerata.
Goals: 30' pen. Camarda (M), 38' Sia (M), 45+2' Camarda (M), 84' Russo (S), 88' Vedovati (S), 90' Knezovic (S).
Booked: 31' Malaspina (M), 48' Bartesaghi (M), 64' Parlato (S), 79' Knezovic (S).

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