MILAN FUTURO FIGHT BUT FALL TO PIANESE: 0-1

Milan Futuro's first match of the month ended in a home defeat, as they fell 1-0 to Pianese in a clash between two teams that came into the game level on points. The game was decided by a goal midway through the second half from the Tuscans' number 10, Mastropietro. However, the result alone doesn't tell the full story of the afternoon in Solbiate Arno. The Rossoneri had to play for over 85 minutes with a man down, and even finished the game with 9 players against 11. Despite this, Bonera's team managed to create several chances, especially in the first half.

It's worth highlighting the excellent performance of Lapo Nava in goal, who made several important saves, capped by a penalty save against Odjer late in the game. We missed the chance to build on the positive results against SPAL and Lucchese, but with the awareness that, if we continue from what was shown until the visitors took the lead, there will be plenty of opportunities to climb the table. In October, we have four more fixtures, evenly split between home and away: chances to build on the positives and continue the team’s growth. Forza ragazzi!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY FROM MILAN FUTURO v PIANESE

MATCH REPORT
The visitors started well, constantly pushing forward. After just 5 minutes, the first dramatic moment occurred as the Rossoneri were reduced to 10 men with a red card for Coubis. Nava reacted brilliantly, making a point-blank save from a close-range header following the incident. What followed were predictable moments of suffering due to the numerical disadvantage, but none of the Tuscans' chances troubled Nava. Between the 18th and 19th minutes, the Rossoneri had a spark. First, a lay-off from Turco was cleared by the defence inside the six-yard box, then a header from Cuenca narrowly missed the target from a great position. Bonera's side continued to play bravely, and in the 28th minute, Boer made an outstanding save to deny Turco, with Traorè's follow-up being ruled out for offside. Right before the break, Pianese had a golden opportunity, but Mastropietro failed to connect with the ball just yards from the goal line.

The second half started with two changes for the Rossoneri, with Fall and Malaspina coming on after Bartesaghi's introduction at the break. Compared to the first 45 minutes, the beginning of the second half offered fewer thrills as Pianese dominated possession, but Milan Futuro defended well despite being a man down. In the 65th minute, Mastropietro came close to giving the visitors the lead, but his effort went wide, a chance that foreshadowed the 1-0, scored by the Tuscans' number 10 with the help of the right post, beating Nava. The Rossoneri tried to respond and in the 72nd minute, Fall laid off the ball nicely for Traorè, but Chaka's attempt went wide. In the next play, Nava made a crucial save in a one-on-one with Mignani. Not much else happened until the 87th minute, when Odjer won a penalty for the visitors, and the Rossoneri were reduced to 9 men after Minotti received his second yellow card. Nava saved the penalty, but the result remained unchanged in the 5 minutes of stoppage time, and it ended 0-1.

MATCH DETAILS

MILAN FUTURO 0-1 PIANESE

MILAN FUTURO (4-2-3-1): Nava; D'Alessio, Coubis, Minotti, Bozzolan; Hodzic (46' Malaspina), Sandri; Traorè (79' Longo), Liberali (11' Bartesaghi), Cuenca (60' Sia); Turco (46' Fall). Subs: Mastrantonio; Bakoune, Zukić; Alesi. Coach: Bonera.

PIANESE (3-4-2-1): Boer; Polidori, Pacciardi, Chesti (57' Indragoli); Boccadamo (46' Sorrentino, 61' Falleni), Proietto, Simeoni, Nicoli; Mastropietro (84' Odjer), Colombo; Mignani. Subs: Filippis; Papini, Capanni, Spinosa. Coach: Prosperi.

Referee: Zoppi from Firenze.
Goal: 66' Mastropietro (P).
Booked: 15' Hodzic (MF), 34' Nava (MF), 42' Boccadamo (P), 67' Bonera (MF), 77' Bozzolan (MF), 87' Minotti (MF).
Sent-off: 5' Coubis (MF), 87' Minotti (MF) for a second yellow card.
Notes: 89' Nava (MF) saves Odjer (P) penalty.

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