ALESI STRIKES, PRIMAVERA BEAT CHELSEA 3-1

On a sunny and warm afternoon, the Primavera side shone brightly against Chelsea winning 3-1 on Matchday 4 in the Youth League group stages. Abate's AC Milan side earned a prestigious victory - one of the best so far in this great start to the season - mainly thanks to Gabriele Alesi's double, but the whole team should be applauded for a great performance. After a quiet opening half, the Rossoneri blossomed after the break despite some difficult moments. Alesi opened the scoring with Longhi stroking home a second, but not before Chelsea had equalised towards the end of the match through Webster's penalty. It looked like the game was to end on a bitter note, instead it ended sweetly with Alesi, aided by Longhi, putting the icing on the cake.

It was a collective team performance with contributions across the pitch: Nava's saves, Zeroli's play, and  Longhi and Bozzolan effective off the bench. The home side showed they are playing well together, as they were strong and compact against a high-calibre team with European experience. After the 1-1 draw in England, this win at the PUMA House of Football moves the side top of Group E with eight points. The next fixture in the competition is in Zagreb on Tuesday 25 October, whilst their next match is scheduled for Saturday at 13:00 CEST with an away trip to Udine in the league.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v CHELSEA

MATCH REPORT

The line-up was a familiar one to the last time out in London, with the only changes being Alesi, Gala and Lazetić; Abete put faith in the rest of team that had started last week, especially in the defensive areas. The first half lacked any real action with Chelsea proving more adventurous and aggressive early on without ever looking threatening: Castledine shot over after six minutes; Akomeah failed to hit the target after a melee in the box, as Nava misjudged a ball in after 23 minutes, and Tauriainen made Nava work from a tight angle. AC Milan struggled to make any forward advances and had to make a change on the half-hour mark with Lazetić not feeling well. In the closing stages, the match lit-up: a minute before first-half stoppage time, Mendel-Idowu's long-range shot went close; Thomas fired over the bar one minute into injury-time and a minute later, Zeroli's header was kept out by Curd; a few seconds later and the 'Devil' risked being caught out as Chelsea insisted and went close twice late on.

The second half started with the Blues again in the ascendancy: Webster skimming the post from the edge of the box after 57 minutes. On the hour mark, El Hilali's attempt gave the Rossoneri some encouragement, who after 63 minutes were quick to pounce on their prey; Traorè's free-kick was laid off to El Hilali who struck a low shot that Curd saved well, but he was unable to hold onto the ball and Alesi slid in quickly to do well to put it away. Their lead was nearly doubled ten minutes later but Curd kept out Traorè and Zeroli in the space of a minute. And out of the blue, Chelsea found a way back in on the 84th-minute mark, with Simić handling in the area to award the Blues a penalty, that was tucked away by Webster who sent Nava the wrong way. But Abate's side didn't give up and re-took the lead after 87 minutes through sub Longhi, after a Bozzolan assist. The victory was sealed in the final minute of normal time as Alesi grabbed his second: a ball in behind by Traorè and the striker coolly slotted home with power and precision. In stoppage-time, Nava earned a final round of applause after intervening perfectly from Soonsup-Bell's play. It ended at the final whistle, 3-1.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 3-1 CHELSEA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Bakoune, Simić, Paloschi (91' Parmiggiani), Bartesaghi (86' Bozzolan); Gala, Marshage, Zeroli (91' Stalmach); Alesi, Lazetić (33' Traorè), El Hilali (86' Longhi). Subs: Torriani; Eletu. Coach: Abate.

CHELSEA (4-3-3): Curd; Gilchrist, Humphreys, Akomeah (79' Runham), Hughes; Dyer (69' Soonsup-Bel), Webster, Hall; Mendel-Idowu (69' Silcott-Duberry), Castledine, Tauriainen (40' Thomas). Subs: Merrick; Acheampong; McMahon. Coach: Brand.

Referee: Bram Van Driessche (Belgium).
Goals: 63' and 90' Alesi (M), 84' Webster (C), 87' Longhi (M).
Bookings: 53' Akomeah (C), 73' Silcott-Duberry (C), 78' Marshage (M), 94' Castledine (C).

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