AC Milan’s Primavera side fell to defeat away to Bologna today. It was an unexpected setback for the Rossoneri, who lost 3-0following a below-par display and failed to build on their wins against SPAL and Sassuolo. It was a poor performance from Coach Giunti’s team, who didn’t reach the previous standards they’d set and paid the price for some big mistakes. The Diavolo were unable to nullify Bologna or Rabbi, who took centre stage with a decisive brace. Attentiveness and ruthlessness were missing from the Rossoneri’s display, and they struggled to create chances throughout. While it was undoubtedly an afternoon to forget, games like this can happen during such a busy calendar and in a difficult league. The Rossoneri will now need to put in the hard work to make amends ahead of their next league fixture at 12:30 CET on Saturday 14 February, when they’ll take on Empoli at Vismara. Following today’s match, the Rossoneri remain in sixth place on twelve points and in the playoff zone, although matchday nine is yet to be completed in full
REPORT
It was a physical encounter right from the beginning. Rabbi looked dangerous early on and, after heading over in the third minute, opened the scoring on the ten-minute mark. After Jungdal had misread a ball forward and allowed it to bypass him, the opposition captain was left with the easy task of putting the ball into an empty net. AC Milan looked to respond, with Maldini the team’s most lively player. In the 19th minute, the Italian failed to find the target with a free kick from distance and a free kick from the edge of the box. In the 26th minute, Di Gesù’s low left-footed strike was saved by Milla. An effort from Mionić lacked precision on the half-hour mark, while Brambilla was denied by the goalkeeper five minutes later.
Following the restart, Maldini had another go but wasn’t rewarded with a goal. Then, Bologna struck another blow: in the 56th minute, Rabbi got the better of Oddi and found the corner. Substitutions made by the Rossoneri shook things up somewhat, with Nasti unable to score following an AC Milan corner after 61 minutes. El Hilali had two opportunities with 66 and 77 minutes on the clock but failed to convert. In between these chances, Vergani was unable to add a third for the hosts from the penalty spot following a foul by Michelis, with Jungdal keeping the spot-kick out. In added time, however, Cretti was penalised for an infringement in the box and Andreas was beaten by Farinelli from twelve yards out
This is what Coach Giunti had to say following the match: "It was a deserved defeat, even if 3-0 is a bit excessive. We had less rest and less time to prepare for the match than they did, but we could have done better. I warned my players that you can’t afford to make certain mistakes on a pitch like this one. We really did struggle today. Our objectives won’t change, we need to carry on pushing forward in a confident manner and keep our heads held high ahead of our next battle."
MATCH DETAILS
BOLOGNA 3-0 AC MILAN
BOLOGNA (4-3-3): Molla; Arnofoli, Milani, Khailoti, Montebugnoli (60' Annan); Grieco, Farinelli, Viviani; Rocchi (76' Di Dio), Vergani (83' Pagliuca), Rabbi (83' Cudini). Substitutes: Prisco; Cavina, Motolese; Cossalter, Pietrelli R., Roma; Fabretti, Sigurpálsson. Coach: Zauri.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Jungdal; Stanga (75' Cretti), Tahar (75' Bright), Michelis, Oddi; Di Gesù (60' Saco), Brambilla, Mionić; Roback (60' Nasti), Tonin (60' El Hilali), Maldini. Substitutes: Moleri, Pseftis; Filì, Obaretin, Pobi; Alesi, Robotti. Coach: Giunti.
Referee: Scarpa from Collegno.
Goals: 10' and 56' Rabbi (B), 95' Farinelli (B) (pen.).
Bookings: 48' Montebugnoli (B), 67' Stanga (M), 68' Michelis (M), 79' Rabbi (B).
Source: (www.acmilan.com)
