Primavera Coppa Italia: Samp knocked out by AC Milan after penalty drama

Sampdoria Primavera have been knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the first round, with AC Milan getting the better of Doria from the penalty spot after the match had finished 2-2 after extra-time.

The Blucerchiati started the game well, but it as the Rossoneri who took the lead on the 26-minute mark. Olzer sent in a corner which flashed across goal to the waiting Merletti, who slotted past Raspa with his right boot for 1-0.

Samp freshened things up at half time, with Cottafava sending on Pompetti and Bahlouli in place of Casanova and Canovi. The changes seemed to have the desired effect a minute after the restart: the Frenchman picked out Giordano, who crossed to the far post for Amado to head home and level the scores at 1-1.

Galvanised by the equaliser, Doria streamed forward in search of a second goal. Bahlouli had a decent effort from a free-kick on 55 minutes, while seven minutes later Cottafava again turned to his bench, replacing Scaffidi and Amado with Yayi Mpie and Prelec. The minutes passed without another goal, until on 81 minutes Prelec found the net to put Samp 2-1 up and seemingly on course for the next round.

Yet there was a sting in the tail for Samp: Yayi Mpie was shown a red card with two minutes left on the clock, providing the Rossoneri with renewed belief. And deep into stoppage time – the fourth minute, no less – substitute Haidara broke Samp hearts by beating Raspa to make it 2-2.

Samp were forced onto the back foot in extra time, closing ranks to compensate for their man disadvantage, while Raspa stepped up with a few big saves to keep the scores level and get the Blucerchiati to the lottery of the penalty shoot-out.

The Rossoneri proved to be the coolest from the spot, however, with both Giordano and Bahlouli seeing their penalties saved by Soncin, allowing Merletti to dispatch the decisive spot-kick and send AC Milan through to the next round.

Sampdoria 2-2 AC Milan (AC Milan win 4-2 on penalties)
Scorers: Merletti 26, Amado 46, Prelec 81, Haidara 90+4.

Sampdoria (3-5-2): Raspa; Sorensen, Veips, Obert; Chrysostomou (Maggioni 88), Casanova (Pompetti HT), Canovi (Bahlouli HT), Sabattini, Giordano; Scaffidi (Yayi Mpie 62), Amado (Prelec 62).
Subs not used: Boschini, Saio, Rocha, Ercolano, Brentan, Siatounis.
Coach: Cottafava.

AC Milan (4-3-2-1): Soncin; Barazzetta (Borges 90+5), Potop, Merletti, Stanga (Oddi 69); Frigerio (Sala 69), Brescianini, Mionic; Olzer (Tonin 55), Capanni (Haidara 55); Pecorino.
Subs not used: Jungdal, Moleri, Borges, Negri, Michelis, Tahar, Brambilla, Capone.
Coach: Giunti.

Referee: Emmanuele.
Assistants: Conti, Galimberti.

Yellow cards: Casanova 9, Stanga 36, Canovi 44, Sala 79.
Red cards: Yayi Mpie 88.

Added time: 1 + 5 minutes in normal time, 0 + 1 minute in extra time.