PRIMAVERA: TARTAGLIA AND CULLOTTA SEAL 2‑0 WIN OVER JUVENTUS
Youth Teams
Convincing win for the Rossoneri Primavera, who beat Juventus 2-0 at the PUMA House of Football thanks to the assertiveness of their defenders. Tartaglia opened the scoring (his second goal in three league games), before captain Cullotta added the second, with Nolli providing both assists. Coach Renna's side dominated the first half before controlling the game after the break, giving AC Milan the first of three head-to-head clashes with Juventus this Sunday, with the two First Teams also facing each other later in the day.
The victory takes the Rossoneri to seven points after three matchdays, temporarily joining Parma, Inter and Roma at the top of the table. Above all, it's a display of consistency and growth in both collective and individual performances. Ibrahimović also made his first appearance of the season, coming on late in the game. AC Milan's next game will take them to Verona, where they will face hosts Hellas on Saturday 12 September at 13.00 CEST.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v JUVENTUS
MATCH REPORT
During the opening exchanges, AC Milan looked to use possession to draw out a Juventus side sitting deep. The first attempt from the Bianconeri came in the 13th minute through Corigliano, who fired well over. Domniței then went close twice, seeing an effort blocked in the 15th minute before narrowly missing the far post in the 28th after a crucial deflection. In the 33rd minute, Nolli just failed to get a touch on Anastasio's dangerous ball into the box, but went on to provide two assists. The first was a classic "from wing-back to wing-back", with Tartaglia volleying home to break the deadlock and score his second league goal. The second came from a set piece, as captain Cullotta rose to head home his first-ever goal for the Rossoneri Primavera.
Two minutes into the second half, the visitors created their first clear chance, but Ceppi's left-footed effort missed the target. Corigliano fired over again a minute later, while Camara headed wide from close range in the 55th minute. Less aggressive than in the first half, the Rossoneri managed their two-goal lead without rushing, keeping Juventus' attempts to mount a comeback at bay. The Bianconeri tried again in the 83rd minute through substitute Beydts, who narrowly failed to hit the target, before Reynaud and Samb went close late on. AC Milan held firm to seal a deserved 2-0 victory.
POST-MATCH STATEMENTS
"It was a good, open game between two teams who played on the front foot from the very first minute," Mister Giovanni Renna said after the final whistle. "I believe it was a deserved win, but what matters most to me is the performance and the growth of young players such as Grassini, who had already put in an excellent display last Sunday, as well as Colombo and Petrone, two 2009-born players we are counting on heavily. Now the lads need to keep believing in the work we are doing, without looking at the standings: their ambition must be to improve and fulfil the dream they all have, which is to play at the highest level."
"The goal takes a back seat when the team wins, especially in important games like this, because we all dream of beating a team like Juventus at home," added Edoardo Tartaglia, scorer of the opening goal. "The important thing was to win and keep a clean sheet, because we showed how solid we are and, above all, confirmed that we are a team. I know the strength of our squad and I know we are a great group who’s very united: our objective is to reach the Playoff."
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-0 JUVENTUS
AC MILAN (4-3-2-1): Catalano; Nolli, Messaoudi, Cullotta, Tartaglia; Geroli (88' Ibrahimović), Cissè, Grassini; Zaramella (61' Colombo), Anastasio; Domniței (79' Petrone). Subs: Pantelin; Calvani, Kurbegović, Mazzeo, Mercogliano; Dotta, Martini; Zanaga. Coach: Renna.
JUVENTUS (3-4-2-1): Huli; De Brul (46' Camara), Borasio, Reynaud; Rigo, Sylla (61' Brancato), Ceppi, Precupanu (61' Beydts); Corigliano, Sosna (76' Samb); Okolo (46' López). Subs: Giaretta; Gielen; Bamballli, Bellino, Bracco, Vallana. Coach: Padoin.
Referee: Vailati from Crema.
Goals: 34' Tartaglia (M), 39' Cullotta (M).
Booked: 50' Precupanu (J).
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