Milan 1-2 Real Betis: Controversial late penalty downs Rossoneri in Catania

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan suffered defeat in their final preseason friendly as they lost 2-1 to La Liga side Real Betis in Catania.

Fabian Ruiz gave the Spaniards the lead with a wonderful curling shot from distance after Andre Silva had seen a first-half goal ruled out.

Silva did then level from the spot not long after, but a moment of controversy was to prove decisive as Sanabria won the game for Betis in the final minute.

The Rossoneri immediately began on the front foot and in the third minute a great ball over the top from Riccardo Montolivo found Andre Silva, who saw his effort blocked by the last defender.

Two minutes later there was a chance at the other end as Davide Calabria was caught out, but Victor Camarasa dragged his shot wide from around 12 yards out.

Milan believed they had taken the lead in the 11th minute as Aalow free-kick was whipped in by Hakan Calhanoglu and Andre Silva was on hand to convert inside the area.

However, the goal was reviewed under the new Video Assistant Referee technology (VAR) and it was adjudged that Silva was offside after the flick on at the near post.

There was little further action before the half hour mark aside from a series of rash and late challenges from Betis, who seemed intent on injuring Milan players, a situation which the referee did not help as he turned a blind eye to many of the incidents.

Seven minutes before the break Calabria was found by Suso inside the area, but the right-back saw a low effort well saved by the Betis ‘keeper Giminez.

Soon after, a gorgeous ball in behind from Calhanoglu found Calabria again, but his volleyed cross Silva was well cut out to ensure it remained level at the break.

The opening stages of the second half were relatively dull, but the game exploded into life in the 67th minute.

Ruiz broke the deadlock for Betis as he sent a wonderful curling shot from 25 yards into the top left corner, beating an outstretched Antonio Donnarumma.

Eight minutes later Milan would draw level however, as Andre Silva calmly despatched a penalty after Gustavo Gomez had been hauled to the floor from Calhanoglu’s corner.

Gomez could have handed Montella’s men the advantage with ten minutes to go, but his header from close range was saved by Giminez.

The Balompie side would snatch the win in the dying moments in dramatic fashion, as following an incident in the area the referee consulted VAR and adjudged that Calhanoglu had impeded Joaquin with his elbow.

Sanabria stepped up and converted the spot kick to give Quique Setien’s side a preseason victory in what was a lacklustre runout in Milan’s final tester.

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