PRIMAVERA HIT THREE AGAINST CESENA

Coach Abate's Primavera side have finally broken their duck in 2023. At the Romagna Centro di Cesena Sports Complex, the Rossoneri earned three vital points after inflicting a 3-0 defeat to the home side. After a tight start to the game, with Nava keeping the scoreline on level terms, the away side gradually took charge of the game, which saw Polli sent off at the end of the first half. After the break, goals from Stalmach and El Hilali turned the match in the Rossoneri's favour, before Sia sealed the win towards the end.

There were many positive signs for Abate's lads, who in the final quarter of the game also saw a welcome return to action to leader Coubis, after a long time out with injury. Lapo Nava shined, after his penalty save from Polli, as did Dariusz Stalmach, scorer of the opener and assist-maker for the third. Coming off the bench, El Hilali and Sia both impacted the game positively. The win in Romagna takes the Rossoneri to 21 points in the league, and gives some renewed confidence for the season ahead. Next up is Fiorentina on Friday 24 February at PUMA House of Football, before it will be time once again for the UEFA Youth League.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM CESENA v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
It was a quiet start to the game, with little action of note. But on 12 minutes, the home side were awarded a penalty after a tackle in the area: from the spot, Polli was outsmarted by Nava, who blocked with his feet. The Rossoneri were unable to find the breakthrough and struggled to find any rhythm going forward, with the game being played at a slow pace. On the 29th and 32nd minute, Casali and Stalmach both tried their luck from distance, but without any joy. Five minutes before the break, Zeroli went close to finding the opener: Nsiala went on a mazy run forward, laying off for Kevin on the edge of the box, but the number 18's strike crashed against the post. Just shy of half-time, the home side were reduced to ten men with Polli receiving a straight red card for a challenge on Nsiala. The tight half ended without any further incident. 

AC Milan broke the deadlock inside two minutes of the restart: Stalmach found himself free on the edge of the box and placed his right-footed shot perfectly into the bottom corner to make it 1-0. Only six minutes passed before it was 2-0: Traorè controlled and played the ball out to El Hilali, who fired into the top corner to give Galassi no chance, doubling the Rossoneri's lead. The home side were now under cosh, and further attempts by Victor (57') and Alesi (58') went behind. Around the hour mark, Galassi saved from El Hilali's right-footed shot, while on 75 minutes, Longhi' effort came back off the bar. Moments later, the third arrived: Stalmach played through Sia who put the ball past Galassi. The Rossoneri saw the game out comfortably and it ended 3-0. 

POST-MATCH COMMENTS
"It was tough game, many sides have come here and found it difficult, but we only gave away one chance really," commented Coach Abate after the game. "In the first half, we were a little too tense, then we opened up and played a great second half. I'm happy for the lads because they deserve this win, and it now needs to serve as a starting block. From now on in, the spiriti shown the second half is what we must continue to show."

MATCH DETAILS

CESENA 0-3 AC MILAN

CESENA (4-3-3): Galassi; Manetti, Pieraccini, Lepri, David (82' Rossi); Lilli (72' Barducci), Suliani (82' Ghinelli), Francesconi; Denes (52' Gessaroli), Polli, Carlini. Subs: Veliaj; Di Francesco, Elefante, Ferretti; Bifini, Guidi, Milli. Coach: Ceccarelli.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Casali, Simić, Nsiala, Bozzolan; Gala (46' Victor), Stalmach, Zeroli (46' El Hilali); Alesi (77' Coubis), Mangiameli (64' Longhi), Traorè (68' Sia). Subs: Bartoccioni, Pseftis; Bartesaghi, D'Alessio, Paloschi; Foglio, Malaspina; Cuenca. Coach: Abate.

Referee: Panettella from Bari.
Goals: 47' Stalmach (M), 53' El Hilali (M), 76' Sia (M).
Booked: 34' Zeroli (M), 36' Francesconi (C), 61' Lilli (C), 87' Lepri (C).
Sent off: 44' Polli (C).
Notes: penalty saved by Nava in the 13th minute.

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