The team that had lost three matches in a row and also had not scored in as many matches came up with a huge 2-0 win vs. Cagliari at home on Saturday. After their last match, the 2-0 loss to Atalanta, I stepped back to look at the damages caused by this management, but also to question whether or not Renna is the right coach for this team. The players have the talent, and a win like this demonstrates this more than anything I could say. But are they being properly managed? In spite of the big win, I'm still skeptical. However, after three points, this week I will grant some clemency.
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| A good result, but Renna still needs to kept under close watch long term. |
Renna's boys wasted no time in this one, with Cullotta hitting the woodwork in just the fourth minute. Catalano was forced into a save on a Cagliari player's shot, then Anastasio took a shot that was just wide. All of this in the first 10 minutes. Then, in the 13th minute, Anastasio did score. Or at least that is what most sources say. Some say it was an own goal from Cagliari, but I am going to give credit to Anastasio, he deserves it. 1-0 Milan Primavera. The rest of the half settled in a bit more, with fewer clear chances, although both goalkeepers did have to stay alert.
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| I'm still giving credit to Anastasio for the goal, I don't care. |
Renna replaced Domniței with Ablaye Samb at halftime. The second half, Cagliari came back fighting, though their early chances were all off target or shut down by Milan's defense. Their big error was taking Zanaga down in the box in the 57th minute, which saw Nuvoli was sent off and Milan Primavera were given a penalty. Cullotta stepped up and took the penalty, converting it to make it 2-0 for Milan Primavera.
With Cagliari Primavera on 10 men, Milan were able to control most of the rest of the match. In the 71st minute, Geroli was shown a yellow card, and La Mantia replaced Zanaga. Five minutes later, Grassini replaced Geroli, and then in the 80th, Vincent Ibrahimović replaced Zaramella. Milan Primavera had a couple of shots off target, and Vincent Ibrahimović was shown a yellow card in the 90th minute. But at the final whistle, Milan prevailed 2-0 over Cagliari Primavera. Brief highlights are available.
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| Tartaglia made a nice tackle in the 54th minute to keep the clean sheet. |
Getting back to winning ways was crucial after such a poor run of form. We've seen Renna's Primavera struggle with both consistency and the ability to finish off matches, so to have a clean sheet and all three points was a big deal for them, and should really boost their mentality. This also boosted them up to ninth place on the table, which is also important, should they want to make the playoffs. One win does not make Renna the right coach in my mind. But this was so enjoyable, I will grant him one week's clemency.
Thursday, October 22 • 21:00 CEST (3pm EDT)
Milan Futuro vs. Club Milano
Sunday, October 25 • 14:30 CEST (8:30am EDT)*
Sunday, October 25 • 20:45 CET (3:45 EDT)*
Reviewed by Elaine
on
Rating:
