After two wins on the trot - and five games without defeat, including the Youth League - AC Milan's Primavera side came unstuck at PUMA House of Football, as they lost out to Empoli 1-0. The deciding goal to give the Tuscans the three points came halfway through the second half through defender Barsi, in a game that saw chances for both sides with the Rossoneri certainly deserving something from the game.
Despite the positive performance from Marko Lazetić, who had many chances fall to him, it wasn't enough to move the Rossoneri up the table and who stay on nine points after seven games. The busy schedule in October does though give the young lads a chance to bounce back, starting with Tuesday afternoon's home game against Chelsea in the Youth League, while their next league action will be next Saturday at 13:00 CEST away to Udinese.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v EMPOLI
MATCH REPORT
After his goal against Chelsea midweek, Simić was again given a starting berth, with Lazetić leading the front trio. After a tight opening, it was Empoli who had the first chance after eleven minutes through Dragóner but Nava made a great reflex save to keep out the defender. The Rossoneri replied with Lazetić at the centre of the action: first, he broke away and set up Traorè but he failed to get his shot away after 14 minutes; then, a nice twist and turn that went wide of the post five minutes later. Halfway through the half, Traorè tried his luck, but Fantoni saved comfortably. In the closing stages, two other interesting chances came around for Lazetić, with Nava making a great save in-between, who blocked out Rosa's dangerous attempt.
The start of the second half was lively and full of chances: Bozzolan and Traorè whipped in two interesting crosses but didn't find anyone in the box, while after 50 minutes, Nava was again on hand keeping out the away side. The Rossoneri pushed on and had three chances in quick succession through an inspired Lazetić, but the goal didn't come. And after 69 minutes, the sucker-punch as the hosts took the lead: Coubis made an error and substitute Barsi capitalised to beat Nava. The Rossoneri response was full of pride. After 73 minutes, Alesi struck a right-footed shot that Fantoni reacted well to, with the Empoli keeper making an even better save from Longhi's header five minutes later. The home side, though, closed out the game keeping the Rossoneri at arm's bay with Traorè's shot two minutes being stopped by Fantoni. The game ended 1-0 to Empoli.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN V EMPOLI 0-1
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Coubis, Simić, Bozzolan; Gala, Eletu (85' Zeroli), Pluvio (71' Longhi); Omoregbe (46' Alesi), Lazetić (71' Mangiameli), Traorè. Subs: Bartoccioni, Pseftis; Bartesaghi, Nsiala, Paloschi; Marshage, Stalmach. Coach: Abate.
EMPOLI (4-3-3): Fantoni; Boli, Marianucci, Dragóner, Angori; Renzi, Ignacchiti, Kaczmarski (52' Vallarelli); Seck (64' Barsi), Rosa (78' Bucancil), Fini (78' Tropea). Subs: Filippis, Tampucci; Botrini, Crasta; Casadei, El Biache, Sodero; Ekong. Coach: Buscè.
Referee: Sfira from Pordenone.
Goal: 69' Barsi (E).
Booked: 31' Gala (M), 35' Kaczmarski (E), 42' Simić (M), 45' Fini (E), 56' Renzi (E), 63' Abate (M), 63' Buscè (E).
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