The Genoa pranks the Milan and wins 1-0 at home. The goal of Grizzly send the Griffin in Paradisewhile the Devil will be forced into overtime at Vismara the next weekend. The rossoblù play well and deservedly win, even if they have to appeal to the team miracles of their goalkeeper Costolidecisive at the last second on the header of Rock. Also Bertuzzo must say thanks to his extreme defender: the interventions of Do them ensure that the waste is minimal. Now head back to where we will need a great Milan to reach the Scudetto final.
EMOTION
Here we go: it’s the portion of the year that matters most. Genoa And Milan, after having won their respective groups in opposite ways – the rossoblù dominating, the Devil winning on the last day the decisive derby against Inter – they want to fly to the Marche to play there Scudetto final. First, the last step: the national semifinal. The importance of the moment accentuates the concentration of the 22 players on the pitch: the result is a goalless first half, but not without emotions. First of all, those of the players, called to face this type of competition for the first time. Then, those that the game gives away. Milan and Genoa the first 40′ are meticulously divided: the Devil starts strong with Avogadro (8′) e Pisati (11′) testing the gloves of Ribs with two dangerous conclusions managed by the home number 1. Then, thanks to a couple of blowouts from Aresini, the Grifone takes the chair. And he does it in the form of Lombards, elusive for the entire Rossoneri defense. The 7 serves twice Lleshi who first with a right foot (33′, saves Faccioli) and then with a header (37′, incredibly wide) comes close to scoring the lead. The 0-0 seems to say: «The best is yet to come».
GRIZZOLARI ICE
In the first 10 minutes of the second half Hurry up And Bertuzzo they change Lleshi And Rusu, in their place Consoli and Morellini. Cozzolino he gets the message and joins the match with a shot from outside that is not held back by Faccioli. However, the number 1 surpasses himself three times on Brizzolari’s rebound with the close-up ping-pong that rewards the Rossoneri. The Milan responds with Zangrillo: the centre-back’s header grazes the post and goes out wide (14′). At 20′ Grizzly takes his revenge on Let’s do it: corner kick taken perfectly by Morellini And sublime header of the Grifone captain who unlocks the match. 1-0 Genoa and Milan now forced to chase. Rocca charges with another header, but misses the net (28′). The Griffin wants and manages to put the game to sleep, using the score in their favor. The 1-0 at home is gold and it means a lot in view of the return of Vismara. He knows Ribs and Rocca knows it: the defender finds the header of hope at the last minute, the number 1 says No with a cat-like intervention and saves the result. The Devil, defeated, will have to play everything on the return.
THE SCORESHEET
GENOA-MILAN 1-0
NETWORKS: 20′ Brizzolari (G).
GENOA (4-2-3-1): Costoli 7.5, Mandirola 6.5, Savona 6, Fazio 6.5, Saladino 6.5, Scaccianoce 6.5, Longobardi 8 (40′ st Botto sv), Brizzolari 7.5, Cozzolino 6, Lleshi 6 (11′ st Consoli 7), Aresini 7. Available. Romeo, Pagano, Callieroti, Aracri, Ndreu, Qosja, Costantino. All. Sbravati 7.5.
MILAN (4-3-3): Faccioli 7, Bonomi 6.5, Di Marco 6.5, Rocca 7, Zangrillo 6.5, Angelicchio 6.5, Pisati 7, Seye 6.5 (40′ st Guglielmo sv), Avogadro 6 (35′ st Piazza sv), Martini 6, Rusu 6 (5′ st Morellini 6.5, 40′ st Colombo sv). Available Galimberti, Baita, Carminati, Kharkevych, Zaffarilli. Annex Bertuzzo 6.5.
WARNINGS: Bonomi (M), Lombards (G), Consuls (M).
REFEREE: Rossini of Turin 7.
ASSISTANTS: Gatto from Collegno and Marra from Turin.
REPORT CARDS
GENOA
Ribs 7.5 Very good in the first half to oppose Avogadro and Pisati. Incredible when he denies Rocca the equalizer at the last second.
Mandrel 6.5 Watch out for Rusu, who in truth does nothing to worry him.
Savona 6 He runs into trouble on Seye when he goes wide, and also lets Morellini pass in the second half.
Fazio 6.5 Better in interdiction than in setting up, he has a great goal in the 30th minute of the second half but is imprecise.
Saladin 6.5 Protects Costoli as if he were a precious treasure, brings home an excellent clean sheet.
Nutcracker 6.5 It contains Avogadro who doesn’t manage to do too much damage to the opposing rearguard.
Lombards 8 Gamechanger in the first half, with two champion percussions he puts Lleshi in a position to score. His assists deserve better luck. (40′ st Botto).
Brizzolari 7.5 Faccioli tells him no 3 times at the start of the second half, he takes it personally and takes revenge 5 minutes later by breaking the deadlock with a beautiful header. As captain he leads his team towards glory.
Cozzolino 6 In these playoffs it was overflowing, today a little less. Only one shot, another central one, in 80 minutes.
Lleshi 6 He has two interesting balls in the first half, but wastes them.
11′ st Consoli 7 He sets foot on the pitch and doesn’t even have time to understand where Brizzolari needs the ball to make it 1-0. Instant impact.
Aresini 7 Lightning-fast dribbling, he communicates well with his teammates. He doesn’t find the winning idea but it’s the only thing he’s missing.
All. Sbravati 7.5 He wins the first round with a great tactical display. He contains the Devil and hurts when he can: now he dreams of the Scudetto.
MILAN
Do them 7 Good in the first half on Lleshi, super in the second half on Brizzolari.
Bonomi 6.5 Aresini is a difficult customer and often suffers, better when he throws himself forward.
By Mark 6.5 Full-back with strong offensive propulsion: Longobardi takes advantage of this and finds his match. Or rather, space for his quality.
Rock 7 Solid as usual, dangerous with his head when he takes a corner. The goal in the third of added time was incredible: he found a super Costoli in front of him.
Zangrillo 6.5 Always attentive behind, he came close to scoring from a corner with an excellent header.
Angelicchio 6.5 It is difficult to find spaces to assert its geometries.
Pisati 7 He comes down from the Under 16s to lend a hand to his teammates and immediately joins the match with a nice finish from outside.
See 6.5 He tries, he proposes, he fights. It’s less precise than usual. (40′ st Guglielmo sv).
Avogadro 6 Two weak shots on which Costoli doesn’t have to put much effort. Much more is expected from the Count. (35′ st Piazza sv).
Martini 6 Some quality ideas, but from the midfield up he never has an impact.
Rusu 6 Isolated, disoriented. He touches few balls and plays them badly: he goes out early.
5′ st Morellini 6.5 Avogadro needs an inviting ball, but the 9 wastes it. (40′ st Colombo sv).
Annex Bertuzzo 6.5 His boys get bogged down against a very tidy Genoa. He will need much more energy in his return to reach the Scudetto final.
REFEREE
Rossini of Turin 7 He manages cards and moments of the match well.
