PRIMAVERA GET BACK TO SCORING AND WINNING WAYS

Goals and a victory. Milan Primavera is back to winning ways, savouring success once again after a difficult month. At the PUMA House of Football, the Rossoneri claimed a 2-0 victory over Cagliari, moving above their opponents in the table thanks to goals from Anastasio and Cullotta from the penalty spot. One goal in each half, in the 13th and 57th minutes, sealed a solid and clinical performance. The visitors' red card in the build-up to the penalty made the task easier, although AC Milan had already been playing well before that turning point. An encouraging sign of recovery, giving the team renewed energy to build on as the season progresses.

Coach Renna's side came into the game on the back of a run of defeats without scoring, making this an important opportunity to turn things around. And they did so with determination, fighting spirit, concentration and intelligence. The victory in matchday 7 of the league season moves the Rossoneri up to 10 points and into eighth place for the time being, three points off the play-off places, with the rest of the weekend’s fixtures still to come. Smiles and renewed energy, now it's back to work to keep improving. Next up, Primavera face Fiorentina at Viola Park on Saturday 24 October at 1:00 PM.

MATCH REPORT
Off the bar! AC Milan came close to scoring as early as the 4th minute: Nolli played a set-piece corner routine, laying the ball off to Cullotta, whose left-footed strike rattled the woodwork. In the 8th minute, Catalano kept out Sugamele's effort, while Anastasio fired off target in the 10th. The Rossoneri took the lead in the 13th minute: Nolli delivered another set-piece, and Kehayov came off his line but failed to deal with the ball, which ricocheted off Anastasio and ended up in the net. Cagliari threatened in the 24th minute with a cross from Lo Verde and a header from Costa, but Catalano was alert to gather the ball. It was a closely fought spell with few clear chances: Anastasio tried his luck from distance in the 27th minute, but his effort lacked power, while Sugamele's acrobatic attempt went wide in the 37th. 1-0 up at the break.

After Tartaglia attempted an overhead effort early in the second half, the Sardinians looked to turn up the pressure. In the 49th minute, Akarakiri tried to place his shot but missed the target. Costa had a go in the 51st after being set up by Lo Verde, but to no avail. In the 54th minute, Tartaglia produced a crucial sliding challenge to deny Sugamele. The Rossoneri doubled their lead in the 57th minute: Nuvoli brought down Zanaga inside the penalty area, earning a penalty and a red card. Cullotta stepped up and calmly slotted home with the inside of his foot. From then on, Milan controlled the game, showing no need to force the attack and taking no unnecessary risks. There were a few substitutions, with Samb shooting over in the 78th minute and Anastasio firing wide in the 84th, before the final whistle confirmed the result: Milan Primavera 2-0 Cagliari.

RENNA'S POST MATCH THOUGHTS
"Good performance, we needed to win and we deserved it. We're happy, now we'll start to think about the next match. I'm particularly happy with the boys' attitude, it was essential to react to a difficult period in terms of results, whilst maintaining our style of play". 

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 2-0 CAGLIARI

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Catalano; Nolli, Messaoudi, Cullotta, Tartaglia; Cisse, Geroli (76' Grassini); Zaramella (80' Ibrahimović), Anastasio, Zanaga (71' La Mantia); Domniței (46' Samb).
Subs: Pantelin; Calvani, Mazzeo, Vechiu; Dotta; Colombo, Petrone.
Coach: Renna.

CAGLIARI (3-5-2): Kehayov; Doppio, Mawassa, Nuvoli; Grandu (46' Bahlaouan), Akarakiri, Goryanov, Piro (21' Tronci), Lo Verde (67' Barry); Sugamele (67' Cardu), Costa (58' Sow).
Subs: Sarno; Battaglini; Bahlaouan, Piredda; Barry, Hamdaoua.
Coach: Gallego.

Referee: Rossini from Torino.
Goals: 13' Anastasio (M), 57' pen. Cullotta (M).
Booked: 23' Gallego (C) from the bench, 71' Geroli (M), 90' Ibrahimović (M).
Sent off: 55' Nuvoli (C).

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