PRIMAVERA UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE COMEBACK

A true display of determination from AC Milan, who played with a numerical disadvantage for more than half the game, and fought until the very end to try to complete a comeback. This is the third consecutive defeat for Renna's side in this difficult month, following losses to Roma and Cremonese, in which they failed to score. This time they scored twice, thanks to Scotti and Perina but Cesena were able to score one more. The visitors arrived with the second-best attack in the league and firmly in the Playoff zone. After the nine goals in the first meeting (won 7-2 by AC Milan), five more were scored today, but this time fortune smiled on the Bianconeri.

Cesena were able to take advantage of two key moments - Bouyer's mistake and Pandolfi's red card. But over the course of the match they never fully shut the Rossoneri out, with AC Milan remaining lively and dangerous throughout. The frustration was made worse by Lontani's miss from the penalty spot, the Rossoneri's top scorer in the competition, but it should serve as extra motivation for Renna's side. They will look to get back to winning ways as soon as this Sunday against Bologna, followed by another tough test the following Saturday against Juventus. Two challenging opponents, but certainly not out of reach. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM CESENA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
The opening twenty minutes at the Romagna Centro Sports Centre in Martorano were fairly slow tempo before the game suddenly sprang to life. Bouyer was injured trying to deal with Ridolfi's long ball, allowing Wade to pounce and slot into an empty net. AC Milan's task became even harder five minutes before halftime when Pandolfi was shown a straight red for a reckless challenge on Zamagni. Zamagni then struck the wall from a free kick before collecting the rebound and weaving through the defence, only to see his effort hit the inside of the post. AC Milan had a chance to pull one back in stoppage time when Lontani won a penalty, but his effort clipped the top of the crossbar. At the break, Cesena led by two goals and a man. 

With Cesena able to manage their two-goal lead at the start of the second half, Renna's Rossoneri showed determination and pulled one back before the 60th minute. From Vladimirov's long ball, Baietta only glanced a header that set up Scotti, who delicately chipped Fontana first time to make it 2-1. AC Milan pressed for an equaliser but couldn't find it, and in the 90th minute the hosts struck again through Galvagni, who finished across goal with his left foot after an excellent first touch. AC Milan's second goal arrived just a minute later when substitute Perina tapped in after another substitute, Domniței, saw his shot parried, but it was too late. Cesena won 3-2.

MATCH DETAILS

CESENA 3-2 AC MILAN

CESENA (3-5-2): Fontana; Baietta (72' Gasperini), T. Casadei (28' Mattioli), Ridolfi; Domeniconi, Berti (66' Tosku), Amadori, Zamagni, Marini; Wade (46' Biguzzi), Galvagno. Subs.: Gianfanti; Zaghini, Poletti, Cenerelli, Lantignotti, E. Casadei, Ricci. Coach: Campedelli.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Bouyer; Colombo(78' Nolli), Vladimirov, Zukić (85' Perina), Borsani (67' Tartaglia); Mancioppi (85' Zaramella), Pandolfi, Perera; Ossola, Lontani (78' Domniței), Scotti. Subs.: Catalano; E. Cissé, Cullotta; M. Cissé, Viana Seedorf; Asanji. Coach: Renna.

Referee: Cristiano Ursini di Pescara.
Goalscorers: 21' Wade (C), 43' Zamagni (C), 59' Scotti (M), 90' Galvagno (C), 91' Perina (M).
Booked: Biguzzi (C), Vladimirov (M), Galvagno (C).
Sent off: 40' Pandolfi (M).
Notes: 48' Lontani (M) missed a penalty.

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