A LATE BLOW FOR THE PRIMAVERA: 2-1 TO SAMPDORIA

Really unlucky. AC Milan Primavera, who were much more attentive and purposeful than they were against Frosinone, took the game to Sampdoria in Genoa but ended up losing 2-1. After falling behind at the start of the second half, the Rossoneri didn’t give up and drew level two minutes from time thanks to El Hilali’s penalty. But not even 60 seconds later, the hosts scored a winner through Ntanda, his second of the game.

The result, however, doesn’t detract from the performance of Abate’s men, who, compared to last week’s showing, made some significant improvements on an evening where three players – Paloschi, Pluvio and 16-year-old Bakoune – made their Primavera debuts. The calendar offers the Rossoneri two immediate chances to bounce back: on Tuesday morning, the team will face Cesena at Vismara, after which they’ll take on Fiorentina away from home on Friday evening.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SAMPDORIA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
Compared to the league opener, Coach Abate switched formation and made several changes, including handing Primavera debuts to Bakoune and Paloschi. The first chance of the game fell the way of the hosts, with Pseftis producing a really solid stop to keep out Montevago’s header. As the minutes ticked by, the Rossoneri started to threaten more and more. In the 16th minute, Eletu fired over from the edge of the area. After 28 minutes, Gala, one of the match’s standout players, forced Tantalocchi into a stop. Abate’s side were taking the game to their opponents and deserved to go into the break in front following a first half that they controlled well. In the 42nd minute, the Diavolo had another excellent opportunity as Alesi got on the end of Gala’s cross and stung the Sampdoria goalkeeper’s gloves.

AC Milan started the second half well, too, with Gala and Cuenca making a nuisance of themselves, but Sampdoria were the team who took the lead: Savio played in a cross for Ntanda, who beat Pseftis to the ball before making it 1-0. The Rossoneri didn’t get downhearted and continued to create opportunities, most notably through Alesi (a strike from over 25 yards out after 64 minutes) and El Hilali, who shot just over the bar in the 80th minute. Abate’s team were rewarded for their efforts on the 88-minute mark as Coubis won a penalty and El Hilali stepped up to convert. However, a minute later, the home side struck the final blow as Ntanda headed home. There were no further opportunities or goals in stoppage time, and it finished 2-1.

MATCH DETAILS

SAMPDORIA 2-1 AC MILAN

SAMPDORIA (3-4-2-1): Tantalocchi; Paoletti, Pellizzaro, Villa (75' Marocco); Savio, Conti (46' Caruana), Cecchini, Bianchi; Ivanovic (46' Ntanda), Pozzato; Montevago (90' Cesari). Subs.: Scardigno, Zorzi; Muratori, Polli, Spatari, Leonardi, Lika. Coach: Tufano.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Pseftis; Bakoune, Coubis, Paloschi (66' Incorvaia, 82' Bartesaghi), Bozzolan; Gala (78' L. Rossi), Eletu, Zeroli (82' Pluvio); Cuenca (66' Omoregbe), El Hilali, Alesi. Subs.: Nava; Nsiala; Björklund, Foglio, Marshage; Longhi, G. Rossi. Coach: Abate.

Referee: Iacobellis from Pisa.
Goals: 56' and 89' Ntanda (S), 88' pen. El Hilali (M)
Booked: 13' Villa (S), 76' Incorvaia (M), 78' Savio (S), 89' Bozzolan (M).

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