PRIMAVERA SURPRISED BY CREMONESE
· Yahoo Sports
It couldn't have gone worse. AC MilanPrimavera were poor and lost at home, failing to score against Cremonese, who sit bottom of the table but played well today. The match ended 2-0 to the visitors in Carate Brianza, with goals from Grashi just before half-time and Lamorte shortly after the restart. It's hard to explain such a below-par performance from the Rossoneri, who were unrecognisable compared to their usual selves. It was a flat display, with no shift in tempo and no reaction after going behind. Truly a disappointing afternoon and an unexpected and significant defeat, both in terms of the scoreline and attitude. Let this serve as a lesson to grow from.
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After last weekend's away defeat to league leaders Roma - perhaps more expected and following a better display - it was hoped that today's test, on paper at least manageable, would be passed. Instead, AC Milan suffered a surprising setback. Renna's side came up short in many areas in an important fixture. A win was needed, but it must be said that the defeat was deserved. Following matchday 28 in Primavera 1, the Rossoneri remain on 37 points and have slipped to 13th place, six points off the playoff spots and six clear of the relegation zone. The focus now turns to a busy few days of training ahead of Monday 9 March, when the team will be looking to bounce back at Cesena in a 15:00 CET kick-off.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v CREMONESE
MATCH REPORTIt wasn't a good start. In the second minute, Bouyer was put under pressure from Faye, but Cullotta snuffed out the danger. A minute later, Bouyer kept out an effort from Lickunas. Tartaglia then tried his luck from distance, but it didn't trouble the goalkeeper (6'). AC Milan's lack of bite continued: Bouyer saved a powerful free-kick from Faye (14'), while Cullotta nearly deflected the ball into his own net three minutes later. Faye remained a constant threat, with the Cremonese man skimming the post in the 24th minute. A brief spell of Rossoneri pressure followed: Asanji threatened in the 27th minute, while Scotti fired into the side netting just past the half-hour mark. After a dangerous counter-attack involving Lamorte and Faye (36'), Cremonese opened the scoring in the first minute of first-half stoppage time: Ragnoli picked out Faye, who in turn set up Grashi to net with a precise finish.
AC Milan came out of the changing room a different side. In the 49th minute, Asanji directed off target on the slide. A minute later, Scotti came close with a header from a corner. However, the Rossoneri's good spell was short-lived. In the 52nd minute, Cremonese doubled their lead: Lickunas found Lamorte, who kept his composure in a tight spot to beat Bouyer. AC Milan's goalkeeper was alert to prevent further damage, making saves to thwart Ragnoli (55') and Lickunas (61'). AC Milan's attacks were sporadic. In the 63rd minute, Cassin was in place to save Scotti's free-kick. At the other end, Cullotta intervened to thwart Faye (75'). In the 81st minute, Bouyer got down to smother Grashi's low effort. There were only glimpses of hope in the closing stages: Sala tested Cassin in the 82nd minute, while Ossola's left-footed attempt across goal brushed the post with two minutes of normal time to go. It finished AC Milan 0-2 Cremonese.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 0-2 CREMONESE
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Bouyer: Dalpiaz, E. Cissé (46' Vladimirov), Cullotta, Tartaglia (69' Zaramella); Sala, Pandolfi (58' Idrissi), Hodzic; Scotti, Asanji (58' Perera), Lontani (46' Ossola). Subs.: Catalano; Colombo, Nolli; Angelicchio, M. Cissé; Borsani. Coach: Renna.
CREMONESE (3-5-2): Cassin; Pavesi (33' Prendi), Marsi (74' Jenzeri), Paganotti; Lickunas, Biolchi (84' Bagordo), Lottici, Gashi, Lamorte; Faye (84' Stefani), Ragnoli (84' Herzuah). Subs.: Bugna, Novati; Patitucci, Prendi; Bighetti, Murante; Lubrano. Coach: Pavesi.
Referee: Castellano from Nichelino.Goals: 45'+1 Grashi (C), 52' Lamorte (C).Booked: 13' E. Cissé (M), 15' Gashi (C), 22' Sala (M), 57' Cullotta (M), 74' Pavesi (C) from the bench.
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