PRIMAVERA WIN IT LATE: AC MILAN 3‑2 TORINO
Youth Teams
What a game! Milan Primavera kicked off their league campaign with all three points, beating Torino in dramatic fashion in front of the home crowd at the PUMA House of Football. Cristiano Dotta struck a superb late winner to make it 3-2 after Torino had twice battled back to level, cancelling out goals from Tartaglia in the first half and Zanaga in the 75th minute. It was a thrilling finish and an even more impressive victory given that Renna's side played the closing stages with ten men after Cissè was shown a second yellow card.
Watched from the stands by Jovan Kirovski, Sergio Navarro and two members of Coach Amorim's staff, including assistant coach Carlos Fernandes, the Rossoneri showcased both their individual talent and impressive team spirit, particularly considering that the full group have only been working together - alongside Milan Futuro and the Under-18s - since mid-July. It was a significant confidence boost for a side whose average age was also lower than that of one of the competition's most highly rated teams. The two 2009-born starters, Leonardo Colombo and Yanis Messaoudi, both made an excellent impression. The Rossoneri can now look ahead with confidence to their next fixture, away to Cesena on Sunday at 16:45 CEST.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v TORINO
MATCH REPORT
The opening stages were, in truth, played at a much slower pace than the thrilling finale. The only effort of note in the first quarter of an hour was an ambitious long-range attempt from Conzato, while AC Milan created their first chance in the 20th minute. Domniței's effort was blocked by the Granata defence before Anastasio met the rebound with a placed shot that Cereser did well to turn away. Two corners followed, with the second producing the Rossoneri's opener: Tartaglia slid in to meet Domniței's ball across goal and turn it into an empty net. The visitors responded in the 32nd minute, when Catalano kept out Conzato's effort from a tight angle with his foot. The AC Milan goalkeeper was alert again from the resulting corner, producing an acrobatic save to tip Tonica's looping effort away.
Torino made the brighter start to the second half, with Conzato testing Catalano with a curling effort from distance (49'). The equaliser had been coming and arrived in the 57th minute, when Tonica headed home from Kugyela's free-kick. The tempo increased as both sides pushed forward, albeit without seriously troubling either defence. AC Milan regained the lead in the 75th minute through a superb goal from substitute and debutant Zanaga, who beat Cereser with a curling effort from the edge of the box. Torino responded immediately, drawing level again five minutes later when Tonica's header came back off the post and Ferraris tucked away the rebound into an empty net. The closing stages were full of drama. The Rossoneri almost made it 3-2 when Anastasio's through ball released Domniței, whose left-footed effort across goal was kept out, before AC Milan were reduced to ten men in the 87th minute after Cissè received a second yellow card. Torino pushed forward, but it was the Rossoneri who had the final say. In the 92nd minute, after a free-kick came to nothing, Messaoudi played a superb through ball to send Dotta one-on-one with the goalkeeper. His low left-footed finish went in off the far post, and the final whistle soon confirmed a dramatic Rossoneri victory.
POST-MATCH STATEMENTS
"Beyond the victory, I'm pleased with the performance," began Coach Giovanni Renna. "We were up against a side that, in my opinion, are among the favourites to win the competition. The boys did well not only when we went ahead, but also in responding during the difficult moments and digging in when we needed to. We've been working on these moments and situations since the start of pre-season. It's a new group and tonight is a starting point because there's still a lot of work to do, but time is on our side. Zanaga and Dotta made a very good impact off the bench and were ready when called upon, but I'm very pleased with everyone involved. We're AC Milan and our job is to work on developing these players, rather than focusing solely on results."
"I wasn't expecting a debut like this after a difficult period," said debutant Edoardo Zanaga. "I had surgery in January and, seven months later, this is an incredible feeling. It’s a great environment and a really close-knit group. We gave everything we had, which makes the result even more special." Match-winner Cristiano Dotta had the following to say: "I'm very happy with the goal and the win. Despite going through several difficult moments, I never gave up. I always kept my feet on the ground and believed in my ability. We got this result against a very strong side. We're confident and here to compete. We've started the league campaign on the right foot; now our focus turns to Cesena."
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 3-2 TORINO
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Catalano; Nolli, Messaoudi, Cullotta, Tartaglia; Geroli (83' Grassini), Cissè; Colombo (66' Zanaga), Anastasio, Zaramella (83' Dotta); Domniței. Subs: Doneda; Petrone, Mazzeo, Martini, Mbaye, Kurbegović, Calvani, Agresta. Coach: Renna.
TORINO (4-3-3): Cereser; Gatto, Tonica, Ballanti (63' Ferraris), Carrascosa; Sacchi (46' Nascimento), Olinga (78' Russo), Kugyela; Conzato, Falasca, Befani (46' Bonacina). Subs: Dorigo; Rivas, Zaghini, Tomić, Roda, Scibilia, Malidor, Russo. Coach: Baldini.
Referee: Migliorini from Verona.
Goals: 22' Tartaglia (M), 57' Tonica (T), 75' Zanaga (M), 80' Ferraris (T), 90'+2 Dotta (M).
Booked: 41' Cissè (M), 87' Conzato (T).
Sent-off: 87' Cissè (M) for second booking.
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