PRIMAVERA CHASED DOWN BUT STILL IN THE PLAYOFFS
Youth Teams
After 6 goals all in the second half, and millions of emotions came the long-awaited verdict: AC Milan will play for the Scudetto in the final phase of the Primavera 1 season, the playoffs. On the last day of the regular season, 3-3 in the clash with direct rivals Torino was enough for Abate's lads to secure a sixth-place finish, the last available playoff spot. It was a game of two halves on the hot morning at the Valentino Mazzola in Orbassano: the deadlock remained unbroken in the first 45 minutes, but the second half was packed full of action with AC Milan going 3-0 up before the hosts came back for the draw.
Goals from Sia (this season's top goalscorer on 15 considering the domestic season and Youth League), Nsiala and Bonomi sealed our spot in the title fight for the first time since the Primavera 1 changed format. We got off to a lightning-fast start in the second half with goals at 47' and 58', decisive since the Granata needed to come back for a win to overtake the Rossoneri in the table. Our season will continue and after the brilliant journey in Europe, we will have the chance to play for the Scudetto: the next stop will be on Saturday 25 May when we face Lazio. 90 minutes to get the win, as a draw would benefit the Biancocelesti who sit third. Forza Milan!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM TORINO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Great intensity but few chances at the start of the game with both sides having a share of the ball. The first chance came for the hosts through Njie in the 8th minute. The Granata gained confidence as the clock ticked on, but the Rossoneri defended with order and didn't let much happen. In the 24th minute, Raveyre was quick to the grass-cutter from Dalla Vecchia whilst in the 33rd minute, Bonomi's free kick from a good position was blocked by the opposition wall. Rossoneri close at 36': Magni picked out Camarda in the box who overcame Dellavalle only for Abati to come out low and neutralise our number 9's attempt. This is the last and biggest chance of a quiet first half.
It's another story at the start of the second half, as we went ahead right away: Sia stole the ball from Bianay Balcot and put it past Abati in the 47th minute. The hosts had a go with a header from Dellavalle that went over the crossbar but breaking the deadlock unleashed Abate's side who doubled the lead at 56': cross into the box, picked up by Simić and passed on to Nsiala, who made it 2-0 from close range. We didn't stop there, celebrating once again at 58' as Bonomi coolly beat Abati coming out of goal. The hosts pulled one back to made it 1-3 through Gabellini in the 62nd minute after a short save from Raveyre. The tempo raised again and in the 79th minute, Jiménez forced Abati to make a difficult save after a good individual move. But Torino didn't give up, making it 2-3 at 85' with a header from Dell'Aquila and then Dellavalle, who converted a penalty deep in injury time to make it 3-3. That was it and the whistle blew to seal our spot in the playoffs!
MATCH DETAILS
TORINO 3-3 AC MILAN
TORINO (4-2-3-1): Abati; Marchioro (75' Mendes), Bianay Balcot, Dellavalle, Antolini (70' Muntu Wa Mungu); Dalla Vecchia, Ruszel; Savva, Jonathan Silva (46' Ciammaglichella), Njie (70' Dell'Aquila); Gabellini (81' Perciun). Subs: Brezzo; Casali; Acar, Mullen; Franzoni, Longoni. Coach: Scurto.
AC MILAN (4-2-1-3): Raveyre; Magni, Simić, Nsiala, Bartesaghi; Malaspina, Sia (89' Cuenca); Zeroli; Scotti (89' Bakoune), Camarda (71' Jiménez), Bonomi (83' Liberali). Subs: Bartoccioni; Paloschi, Parmiggiani, Perera; Ossola, Stalmach; Simmelhack. Coach: Abate.
Referee: Andreano from Prato.
Goals: 47' Sia (M), 56' Nsiala (M), 58' Bonomi (M), 62' Gabellini (T), 85' Dell'Aquila (T), 90'+6 pen. Dellavalle (T).
Booked: 55' Njie (T), 63' Zeroli (M), 69' Ruszel (T), 90'+8 Abati (T).
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