PRIMAVERA ELIMINATED FROM THE YOUTH LEAGUE

Our Primavera were dealt a bitter blow in what was meant to be the decisive match in our European Campaign. After reaching a semifinal and final in the last two editions, AC Milan have been knocked out of the Youth League. This came on the final day of the League Phase, as Crvena Zvezda - who were already eliminated - ran out 3-1 winners in Solbiate Arno. The afternoon was shaped by missed early opportunities by Guidi's side, starting with Ibrahimović's header which hit the crossbar after just 60 seconds of play. Such circumstances could have steered the game in a completely different direction. 

Crvena Zvezda struck at the end of the first half, and then scored two more goals in quick succession in the second half, to seal the result. Tommaso Mancioppi scored his first goal for the Primavera in the closing minutes, but this did little to change the course of the match. A bitter end to a competition in which the Rossoneri, apart from today's performance, undoubtedly deserved a better fate. We will have the chance to bounce back domestically, in the Coppa Italia (Last-16 against Genoa in January) and above all, in the league, starting with a fascinating clash against Juventus: this will be played on Sunday 15, 11:00 CET, at the Stadio Città di Meda. Forza Milan! 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v CRVENA ZVEZDA

MATCH REPORT
The Rossoneri came out aggressively, creating a host of chances in the first three minutes as Ibrahimović hit the crossbar, and Liberali sent a shot just over the bar from a good position. The visitors responded with a run from Šljivić in the ninth minute, but he failed to catch Longoni off guard. The pace of the game slowed down but AC Milan remained in control: in the 17th minute, a great attacking recovery from Ibrahimović forced Radanović into a save, Bonomi tried his luck with a shot from the consequential corner which narrowly missed the crossbar. Crvena Zvezda grew into the game as the minutes passed, and in the 36th minute, Longoni's reflexes allowed him to deny Sremčević. When it seemed as if the half was destined to end 0-0, Kostov's left-footed strike beat Longoni to give the visitors the lead going into the break. 

Two changes were made at half-time - Scotti and Colombo came on - and there was a great chance for Liberali in the 49th minute as he missed the target. Compared to the start of the game, however, Guidi's side lost a bit of momentum and in the 58th minute the visitors won a penalty (through Jovanović) which was cooly converted by the captain Šlijvic. The Rossoneri pushed, but Crvena Zvezda hit on the counter-attack through Jovanović, making it 3-0. Tensions rose on the pitch and the Serbian side were down to 10 men (double yellow for Jovanović), but the attempts at a comeback did not go further than Mancioppi's goal in the 84th minute. Both sides finished with 10 after Perera was sent off too, it ended 1-3. 

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-3 CRVENA ZVEZDA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Longoni; Bakoune, Parmiggiani (46' Colombo), Paloschi, Perera; Perin (72' Mancioppi), Malaspina, Comotto; Liberali (72' Perina), Bonomi (46' Scotti), Ibrahimović (72' Lontani). Subs: Colzani; Albé, Ossola, Tezzele. Coach: Guidi.

CRVENA ZVEZDA (4-3-3): Radanović; Stojković, Gudelj, Milosavljević, Ranković (78' Zarić); Kostov, Šljivić, Ilić (52' Tegeltija); Djorđević I (67' Gashtarov), Sremčević (67' Damjanović), Jovanović. Subs: Draškić; Mladenović; Manojlović, Tošić. Coach: Milijaš.

Referee: Csonka (Hungary).
Goals: 45'+1 Kostov (SR), 58' pen. Šljivić (CZ), 64' Jovanović (CZ), 85' Mancioppi (M).
Booked: 13' Perin (M), 37' Stojković (CZ), 49' Sremčević (CZ), 55' Šljivić (CZ), 57' Longoni (M), 64' Jovanović (CZ), 71' Bakoune (M), 71' Ranković (CZ), 90'+5 Gashtarov (CZ).
Sent-off: 70' Jovanović (CZ) for second yellow, 87' Perera (M).

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