PRIMAVERA BEATEN AT HOME TO MONZA

The Primavera came undone at home to Monza, being on the end of an unexpected 2-1 defeat on matchday 31 at the PUMA House of Football. The excellent Mattia Liberali got on the scoresheet for the home side, who broke the deadlock in a tight affair but approached with great determination by AC Milan, before the visitors hit back through Marras and Antunovic in the second half. After a convincing first half, the Rossoneri ran out of steam and, following the Biancorossi taking the lead, struggled to find the strength energy to get back into the game.

With many of the side’s stars out, Coach Abate was forced into making several changes to the starting line-up compared to the recent Youth League fixtures. And following the bitterness of defeat in the Final - combined however with awareness of what was achieved - the much-wanted return to winning ways did not come. But the table remains tight with four matches remaining. The Rossoneri are still in the running for a place in the play-offs, and the next match is already in sight, with AC Milan visiting Bologna – stuck in the relegation zone - on Wednesday 1 May, for matchday 30. Come on, guys!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v MONZA

MATCH REPORT
AC Milan started off determined. The Rossoneri created their first chances, with Liberali’s left-footed effort going over after seven minutes and then Bonomi's powerful right-fooed shot that was too straight at the keeper two minutes later. It was AC Milan again on the front foot and in the 19th minute Mazza saved Liberali’s header following a good assist by Magni. The visitors’ first attempt came on the half hour mark from a corner as Postiglione’s diving header missed the target. But the home side took a deserved lead in the 36th minute: Liberali got free in the area and slotted home into the left-hand corner. The Rossoneri persisted and came close to doubling their lead through Liberali and Simmelhack before the break, with Mazza denying them both. The first half ended 1-0.

The visitors came back out with a completely different attitude. The first warning sign came from Antunovic, who headed wide from a central position. In the 53rd minute, however, the equaliser arrived, with Marras unleashing a powerful right-footed shot into the far corner to bring the scores level. The goal galvanised Monza, with them coming close to a second through Antunovic (59') and Martins (60'). The Rossoneri struggled to respond and in the 70th minute conceded again: Antunovic got hold of possession, dribbled past his man on the edge of the box and his left-footed attempt gave Bartoccioni no chance. AC Milan were shattered and only made Mazza work again in the final stages, but Magni and Malaspina's efforts came without reward. At the final whistle, it finished 2-1 to Monza.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-2 MONZA

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Bartoccioni; Bakoune, Parmiggiani (73' Paloschi), Nsiala, Magni; Stalmach, Malaspina; Scotti (63' Sia), Liberali (84' Sala), Bonomi; Simmelhack (73' Camarda). Subs: Colzani, Torriani; De Bonis, Nissen; Vitali; Skoczylas. Coach: Abate.

MONZA (3-5-2): Mazza; Bagnaschi, Kassama, Postiglione; Zoppi (88' Dell'Acqua), Berretta, Colombo (46' Martins), Lupinetti (81' Diene), Capolupo (90' Domanico); Marras, Antunovic. Subs: Bifulco; Brugarello, Giubrone, Longhi, Nene, Popović, Ravelli. Coach: Brevi.

Referee: Zanotti di Rimini.
Goals: 36' Liberali (M), 53' Marras (MZ), 70' Antunovic (MZ).
Booked: 37' Marras (MZ), 59' Bakoune (M), 72' Parmiggiani (M), 79' Postiglione (MZ).

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