PRIMAVERA BEATEN IN VERONA: 1‑0 TO HELLAS
Youth Teams
The Primavera battled hard but couldn't avoid an unlucky and undeserved defeat: 1-0 to Hellas Verona at the Synergy Stadium. Cissè, in the second half, grabbed the only goal of the game on matchday 25 of Primavera 1, shortly after the Rossoneri's best chance of the match. It was a competitive encounter from the off, though largely devoid of goalscoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes, significantly improving after the break. The Rossoneri put in a good performance and deserved a different result but once Hellas had their goal, AC Milan struggled to carry a consistent threat.
So it's two defeats from their last two in the league now, though today's defeat is certainly a harsh result. The Rossoneri failed to make up for their loss to Fiorentina last time out, nor the defeat in the reverse fixture against Verona. Though they are without a win since the start of February, the table remains tight. Up next, our Primavera have a great chance to get back to winning ways as they host Real Madrid at the PUMA House of Football in the Youth League quarter-final on Wednesday (13 March) at 16:00 CET. Forza ragazzi!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM HELLAS VERONA v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
It was a slow start to the game with both sides trying to work the other out. The Rossoneri did look the more likely of the two teams, forcing a chance in the tenth minute though Victor's effort from the edge of the area was blocked by the Gialloblù's defence. Hellas reacted and, in the 17th minute, Cissè sent a cross-cum-shot towards goal but it was no issue for Nava. AC Milan threatened again (31'): Victor swung in the free-kick, Camarda rose to meet it, but Tonioli was well-positioned and made a comfortable save. The guests kept pushing for the opener and looked tight at the back but chances were proving hard to come back. An opportunity did fall their way in the only minute of added time but Camarda failed to hit the target with a shot on the turn. 0-0 at the break.
AC Milan started well after the break but found themselves a goal down with the hosts' first chance of the half. In the 48th minute, Victor spurned a big chance to take the lead from Scotti's assist and, four minutes later, Hellas got their goal from a Cissè free kick. Our boys reacted well but couldn't break down the wall of Hellas defenders. chances began to flow as Verona threatened through D'Agostino and Patanè, while AC Milan saw two headers from Zeroli deflected behind in probably their best period of the game. The Rossoneri's captain came close again in the 81st minute before Nava denied De Battisti at the other end a minute later. Late in the day, Cuenca beat Toniolo to the ball but sent his effort wide. It ended 1-0.
POST-MATCH REACTION
"It's a shame for the boys," said Ignazio Abate after the game. "I asked for solidity today because we needed to show a bit more compactness and the team did really well in defence. It was an intense game, we didn't risk anything at the back and in the end, one moment decided the result. We probably could've played at a high tempo and we weren't clinical enough in the final third. Overall, our condition is improving. Now, we need to prepare for Real Madrid and, after that, we'll focus on Lazio and getting back to winning ways in the league."
MATCH DETAILS
HELLAS VERONA 1-0 AC MILAN
HELLAS VERONA (3-5-2): Toniolo; Nwanege, Corradi, Popović; Patanè, D'Agostino, Riahi, Cissè (88' Vermesan), De Battisti; Ajayi (68' Dalla Riva), Cazzadori. Subs: Marchetti; Agbonifo, Caneva, Dentale, Doucouré, Fagoni, Silfver-Ramage, Szimionas, Valenti. Coach: Sammarco.
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Nava; Magni (46' Bakoune), Simić, Nsiala, Bartesaghi; Malaspina (66' Sala), Victor; Scotti (66' Cuenca), Zeroli, Sia (76' Simmelhack); Camarda (82' Bonomi). Subs: Raveyre; Paloschi, Parmiggiani; Mancioppi, Stalmach; Liberali. Coach: Abate.
Referee: Mazzoni di Prato.
Goal: 52' Cissè (HV).
Booked: 21' Patanè (HV), 35' Magni (M), 39' Cazzadori (HV), 46' Ajayi (HV), 55' Nwanege (HV), 69' Simić (M), 86' Popović (HV), 90' Bartesaghi (M).
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