AC Milan’s Primavera side fell at the semi-final hurdle as they were beaten 3-1 by Hajduk Split in the UEFA Youth League in Switzerland this afternoon.
In truth it had been an incredible run to this point as the Rossoneri had beaten the likes of Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb and Atletico Madrid to get into the final four, but it proved to be a step too far.
Milan dominated large parts of the game but were unable to find any cutting edge, and they were made to pay in the second half. Some defensive inattention from Nsiala saw Brajković steal possession and square to Vrcić, who beat Nava with a far post shot.
In the 69th minute Split got another goal against the run of play, and this time it was Pukstas who scored with a near-post header from a corner. The final blow came when Hrgović got the better of Coubis and fired in, again at Nava’s near post.
Milan did get a goal back with around seven minutes on the click as Kevin Zeroli fired into the bottom corner from inside the box, however it would be too little too late.
While it is of course a difficult blow to digest, it is worth remembering that this is the furthest Milan’s youth side have made it in the competition and the future is very bright. They were simply beaten by an older and bigger side on the day, with Split now set to face AZ Alkmaar in the final.
Hajduk were extremely fortunate in this match that added with the fact this youth team makes me appreciate Milan’s main team defense because these guys are completely useless respectfully. Our youth team has a great attack and Alesi and Chaka from bench instantly made their presence known but coubis had a shocker of a performance and the defense on a whole was awful
It was mentioned that Milan is beaten by an older team, but it is an incorrect statement. Hajduk (18.2 years for first 11) is younger than Milan (18.6 years for first 11).
What makes this even greater when you look at the teams .
Hajduk team only one foreigner AcMilan only four Italian players
Sorry due to Bad lune up caused this defeat
What shame to drop to Players to Bench.
What make Senior Acmilan into UCL is the Constant line ups and they will win the UCL if not Chnaged beliefe me.