PRIMAVERA MOVE FORWARD IN EUROPE, BRAGA OUT ON PENALTIES
Youth Teams
Come on, AC Milan! We win, we progress. Penalties were needed, after a tumultuous match, to determine the final outcome of a Youth League's Round of 16 full of excitement and twists. It's the Rossoneri Primavera rejoicing, securing a hard-fought and deserved qualification, crucial as it was a knockout stage: 6-4. Opening the scoring wasn't enough, nor was overtaking the opponent in the second half; the resilient Braga didn't give up, equalizing with goals from Sia and Zeroli in injury time (2-2). From the penalty spot, determination, composure, Raveyre's saves, and Zeroli's decisive seal smiled upon Abate's team. A well-deserved reward.
In Europe, AC Milan soar and for the second consecutive season, after leading their group - 12 points in six matches - they advance to the quarter-finals of the competition where they will face Real Madrid in mid-March. A performance full of determination and pride: that of the PUMA House of Football is truly an exhilarating burst of adrenaline, amidst a delicate and complex league period despite the recent good Derby. Now it will be time to focus on the Primavera 1 again: on Monday, 4 March at 16:00 CET, in Florence, Fiorentina v AC Milan is scheduled. Well done, lads!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v BRAGA
MATCH REPORT
A swift and fierce Braga forces Raveyre into action early in extra time: in the 8’, he saves Vasconcelos' shot, then makes a double save from the resulting corner, in the 10’ he blocks Din. Rodrigues' strike. Milan's reaction is immediate and very effective, in the 12’, Sia wins the ball, dribbles, and is brought down by Noro. Penalty: from the spot, Diego crosses powerfully, but Carvalho - with the help of the woodwork - performs a miracle. After the thrill provided by Vasconcelos, a lob from distance deflected by Simić hitting the crossbar, in the 24’, Sia redeems himself by scoring the opening goal: a soft touch into an empty net, with great credit to Scotti's play. In the 35', Raveyre shines again, flying to deny Din. Rodrigues' header. Just a few seconds pass and Carvalho anticipates Jiménez, released by Scotti. Just before halftime, a venomous free-kick from Vasconcelos, but Raveyre is attentive. Teams head into halftime: 1-0.
What a start to the second half by the Rossoneri: in the 50’, Camarda's solo run and perfect cross, Scotti's header hits the post. Regrets increase in the 52’ minute when Jiménez is stopped in front of goal, especially because after Furtado's entrance, he alters the script of the game: in the 59’, he dribbles past Jiménez and shoots with his left, grazing the crossbar, especially in the 66’ when he restarts and puts a simple tap-in for Din. Rodrigues. Our substitutions make the difference, in the 71’, we go ahead again: Bartesaghi delivers a cross and Zeroli with a delightful right-footed volley in the small box beats Carvalho. Except for a central attempt by Furtado, the match seems to be slipping away without much trouble. However, in injury time, the Portuguese manage to equalize: in the 93’ Raveyre hypnotizes Din. Rodrigues, and in the 94’ Furtado heads in from close range - served by Faria - aiming for the low corner. 2-2 at the end of regulation time, decided on penalties where the Rossoneri triumph: 6-4 final.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 6-4 pen. (2-2) BRAGA
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Raveyre; Magni, Simić, Nsiala Jiménez (67' Bartesaghi); Eletu (67' Sala), Stalmach (36' Malaspina); Scotti (67' Parmiggiani), Zeroli, Sia; Camarda (88' Simmelhack). Subs: Bartoccioni; Bonomi. Coach: Abate.
BRAGA (4-2-3-1): Carvalho; Marques, Noro, Matos, Chissumba; Barbosa (84' Patrício), Die. Rodrigues (55' Furtado); Duarte (70' Faria), Vasconcelos, Kelvin; Din. Rodrigues. Subs.: Žnuderl; Salvador; Abreu, Guilherme. Coach: Duarte.
Referee: Miloš Milanović (SRB).
Goals: 24' Sia (M), 66' Din. Rodrigues (B), 71 Zeroli (M), 90+4' Furtado (B).
Penalty shootout sequence: Bartesaghi (M) goal, Vasconcelos (B) goal, Simić (M) goal, Kelvin (B) saved, Sia (M) goal, Chissumba (B) goal, Malaspina (M) saved, Din. Rodrigues (B) saved, Zeroli (M) goal.
Booked: 16' Zeroli (M), 27' Matos (B), 47' Vasconcelos (B), 48' Nsiala (M), 48' Marques (B), 50' Raveyre (M), 76' Kelvin (B), 78' Barbosa (B), 81' Sia (M), 90+1' Sala (M), 90+1' Bartesaghi (M).
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