PRIMAVERA ADVANCES IN THE COPPA ITALIA
Youth Teams
It was an opportunity the Rossoneri Primavera couldn't afford to miss, and they delivered. A 2-1 win over Catanzaro secured a place in the Round of 32 of the 2026/27 Coppa Italia Primavera, where they will face Como. Domniței opened the scoring from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time (45+1'), before Dotta struck the winner in the 83rd minute following Greco's equalizer. In their opening match of the competition, the Rossoneri made their quality count at the PUMA House of Football against a Catanzaro side that, despite playing in Primavera 2, arrived in excellent form, leading Group B with a perfect record. It was far from a straightforward fixture, particularly amid a demanding schedule and a difficult spell of the season.
The team showed focus and discipline, along with plenty of determination and commitment. Today's match was a valuable test of the squad's depth, giving several players who have seen less playing time the chance to make an impact. There were encouraging signs as the Rossoneri look to continue their development, bounce back from the recent league defeat in Florence and build on the winning momentum regained against Cagliari. Attention now turns to the next Primavera 1 test, away to Monza on Saturday, October 31st at 1:00 PM CET. Well done, boys!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN vs. CATANZARO
MATCH REPORT
In the 8th minute, Zanaga met a corner with a first-time effort but missed the target. A minute later, Vella broke free and delivered a cross, with a deflection sending the ball to Aloisio, whose effort went narrowly wide. In the 11th minute, a mistake playing out from the back gave Ciani a clear sight of goal, but Pantelin made a crucial save. In the 15th minute, Domniței started and finished a move involving Tartaglia, heading just wide. In the 25th minute, Tartaglia created an opening, but Domniței's effort was blocked and Zanaga's was saved. Tassoni headed over in the 29th minute, while Ciani saw his deflected effort go wide in the 41st. AC Milan finally broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time (45+1') when Tassoni fouled Petrone in the box. Domniței stepped up and slotted the penalty into the bottom corner. The Rossoneri led 1-0 at halftime.
Messaoudi threatened in a scramble following a corner in the 48th minute. Seven minutes later, Tassoni headed the ball across goal, but incredibly, no teammate managed to get a touch as it rolled along the goal line. Rombolà tried his luck in the 57th minute but failed to find the target. In the 61st minute, Domniței sent in a dangerous free kick, but Maiolino had it covered. Aloisio fired wide in the 66th minute. Catanzaro equalized in the 74th minute after Vechiu fouled Socco while attempting a clearance. Greco converted the resulting penalty. The Rossoneri regained the lead in the 83rd minute when Ibrahimović won possession and sent a cross into the box, where Dotta turned it home from close range. Pellegrini rose highest to meet a header in the 88th minute, but his effort lacked power. AC Milan 2-1 Catanzaro.
POST-MATCH REACTIONS
Francesco Domniței: "We're very pleased. We've been working well and wanted to bounce back after the defeat in Florence. Catanzaro sat deep and stayed compact, so it wasn't easy. I'm happy to finally be back among the goals. I've been working hard for it, and it's all thanks to the team."
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-1 CATANZARO
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Pantelin; Mazzeo, Messaoudi, Vechiu, Tartaglia; Ibrahimović (87' Angelicchio), Cisse; Colombo (55' Dotta), Domniței, Zanaga (90' Avogadro); Petrone (55' Martini). Subs: Catalano, Doneda; Calvani, Mbaye. Coach: Renna.
CATANZARO (5-3-2): Maiolino; Saitta, Tassoni, Distante, Salvano, Česnauskis; Rombolà (84' Sanogo), Panuccio (56' Molon), Aloisio (67' Greco); Vella (67' Socco), Ciani (56' Pellegrini). Subs: Gisotti; Curatelo, Oberti, Ribellino; Fiorentino; Gjoka. Coach: Costantino.
Referee: Costa from Busto Arsizio.
Goals: 45'+1 pen. Domniței (M), 74' pen. Greco (C), 83' Dotta (M).
Booked: 64' Martini (M).
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