ADVANTAGE MILAN FUTURO: 1-0 AT THE CHINETTI | OneFootball

The first leg belongs to us: a courageous Milan Futuro side won the first leg of the Serie C play-out, beating SPAL 1-0 at the Chinetti. Mattia Sandri's first half penalty decided the game in a match that the Rossoneri played with personality and generosity. It's still an important result, as it makes us masters of our own fate ahead of the second leg in seven days time in Ferrara.

To stay in the division, we will have two out of three possible results in our favour at the Paolo Mazza, since a tie on aggregate over the two legs would favour SPAL due to their better position in the standings. However, today’s result gives hope to a team that was supported from the stands by the Club's top management: in addition to Kirovski in the stands, Furlani, Ibrahimović, and Moncada were also present. Kudos to the whole group, because they showed up and performed without taking too many risks against an experienced and determined opponent who will fight hard next Saturday. Let's go, lads!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM MILAN FUTURO v SPAL

MATCH REPORT The Rossoneri came out aggressively right from the start. In the 3rd minute, Galeotti had to dive to block a low left-footed shot from Bartesaghi, and on the follow-up, Sandri's effort went just wide. Ntenda was crucial in stopping Quirini’s break in the eleventh minute, and in the 18th, Galeotti saved a shot from Sandri. The intensity on the pitch began to rise; attempts from Alesi and Branca couldn't change the scoreline, but in the 33rd minute, the match took a turn when Traorè was brought down in the box: penalty to Milan Futuro. Sandri stepped up and made no mistake from the spot! The goal rattled the visitors, who were now forced to push forward. For the rest of the first half, the only notable actions were a great defensive recovery by Bozzolan in the 42nd minute and a shot by Ntenda that went off target.

There was lots of intensity (and some nerves) but few chances at the start of the second half. Chaka Traorè had two good opportunities in quick succession, but the Ivorian couldn’t get the better of Galeotti. The Estensi tried to turn the game around with some substitutions — including bringing on captain Antenucci — but they failed to create any real chances to trouble Nava in goal. In the 74th minute, Bartesaghi made a save to deny Ntenda’s dangerous shot-cross. Coach Oddo made his first changes — bringing on Malaspina, Sia, and Turco — in an attempt to counter the visitors’ moves. Quirini tried to make a move forward in the 81st minute, but his low cross was blocked, and in the first minute of added time, he was called into action again with a crucial clearance, this time on Antenucci. The final whistle came at the 96th minute: we won!

MATCH DETAILS

MILAN FUTURO 1-0 SPAL

MILAN FUTURO (3-5-2): Nava; Minotti, Camporese, Bartesaghi; Quirini, Alesi (76' Sia), Sandri (90'+5 Victor), Branca (76' Malaspina), Bozzolan; Traorè (76' Turco), Ianesi (87' Omoregbe). Subs: Pittarella, Torriani; Duțu, Magni, Paloschi, Vladimorov; Vos; Scotti. Coach: Oddo.

SPAL (3-4-3): Galeotti; Bruscagin, Arena, Fiordaliso; Calapai (72' Zammarini), Paghera (46' Awua), Nador, Ntenda; Parigini (60' Karlsson), Molina (60' Antenucci), Spini (46' Haoudi). Subs: Meneghetti, Stagni; Bassoli, Mignanelli; El Kaddouri, Nina, Radrezza; Bidaoui, D'Orazio, Rao. Coach: Baldini.

Referee: Mastrodomenico from Matera. Goal: 34' pen. Sandri (MF). Booked: 12' Molina (S), 70' Ianesi (MF), 72' Branca (MF), 89' Sandri (MF).

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