PRIMAVERA 2-0 LOSS TO SASSUOLO

AC Milan Primavera did not break their deadlock in 2023, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Sassuolo. A brace - one goal in each half - from the league's top scorer, Kevin Bruno, was the decisive factor: the Rossoneri's reaction in the final was appreciable, with several chances created and even a goal ruled out for Jordan Longhi. Not enough, however, to come back in a match that saw the team perform in an orderly manner, perhaps suffering too much from the Neroverdi's high press in the first half.

The home team, much more experienced in the competition, held the game in their hands from the first minutes, giving Milan few chances, orchestrated mainly by the outside players Scotti and Sia. More shielded was El Hilali, who was given no room. Zeroli's return was good news, while Bozzolan's knock at the start of the second half was a counterpoint. On Sunday, the calendar pits the Primavera against the surprising Frosinone, in the hope of finding a long-awaited victory.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
After a first phase of study, Sassuolo accelerated and struck with Bruno: the Neroverdi number 80 received the ball at the 30-yard line, turned and let off a powerful right-footed shot from the edge of the box that slotted in behind Nava. The team felt the immediate impact of the goal and struggled to overcome the hosts' initial aggressive pressure. The wingers, once set in motion, managed to create some headaches for Sassuolo, as happened in the 25th minute, when Gala looked for Scotti's insertion at the second post and the cross proved to be just wide. In the final minutes of the half, a fine ball-out finished by Sia with a right-footer that grazed the far post and sent the Rossoneri inches away from equalising.

Sassuolo restarted by doubling the lead at the start of the second half, again with Bruno, who hit a left-footed shot from a wide position and hit the far post, beating the blameless Nava. Bozzolan threw in the towel and in his place came Bartesaghi. The two 18 year-old wing backs got on very well and in the 58th minute, they set up an excellent chance: Scotti's cross for Sia, who volleyed but didn't angle it far enough for Zacchi to save. Abate's Primavera pushed on and in the 67th minute new-entrant Longhi smashed a Bartesaghi cross from an excellent position, just missing the target. The same chain in the 78th minute: a cross from 97 for 80's header, but the goal was disallowed for offside. Nothing more happened, 2-0 Sassuolo.

MATCH DETAILS

SASSUOLO 2-0 AC MILAN

SASSUOLO (4-2-3-1): Zacchi; Martini, Cannavaro, Miranda, Pieragnolo (81' Ryan); Aboubakar, Casolari; Russo (64' Baldari), Bruno (86' Loporcaro), Leone (86' Foresta); Gori (81' Loeffen). Subs: Zouaghi; Lolli, Moriano, Scacchetti. Coach: Bigica. 

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Nava; Casali, Simić, Paloschi, Bozzolan (50' Bartesaghi); Zeroli, Stalmach (61' Nsiala), Gala (76' Victor); Scotti (61' Longhi), El Hilali (76' Alesi), Sia. Subs: Bartoccioni, Torriani; Cuenca, Foglio, Malaspina, Parmiggiani. Coach: Abate.

Referee: Giordano from Novara
Goals: 16' Bruno (S), 48' Bruno (S).
Booked: 38' Pieragnolo (S), 39' Martini (S).  

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