MX23RW : Friday, December 13 14:49:01| >> :120:8621:8621:
[monks data]
Milan logo
Coppa Italia | Round Four
Dec 1, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Crotone logo

3-1

Adriano (47'), Bonaventura (105'), Niang (115')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Budimir (68')

AC Milan need extra time to see off spirited Crotone

Two goals come in extra time as AC Milan survive a scare against Serie B side Crotone.

AC Milan have survived a scare in the fourth round of the Coppa Italia after a pair of goals in extra time gave them a 3-1 win over second-tier side Crotone.

The hosts dominated the early possession but almost fell behind against the run of play in the 21st minute when Giuseppe Torromino forced a save out of Christian Abbiati after being given too much space around the box.

Luiz Adriano (R) of AC Milan is challenged by Michele Cremonesi (L) of FC Crotone during the TIM Cup match between AC Milan and FC Crotone at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 1, 2015 in Milan, Italy. © Getty Images

Luiz Adriano almost put Milan in front moments later when he went on a mazy run and got a shot away, directing his effort too close to Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz.

The Serie B outfit caused the home side all kinds of problems in the first half, but they fell behind early in the second when Adriano collected a pass from Andrea Poli, rounded Cordaz and guided the ball in.

Milan started to control the game and came close to a second in the 58th minute when Suso's cross was met with an overhead kick by Antonio Nocerino, but Cordaz reacted quickly to keep it out.

Luiz Adriano (R) of AC Milan is challenged by Gian Marco Ferrari (L) of FC Crotone during the TIM Cup match between AC Milan and FC Crotone at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 1, 2015 in Milan, Italy.© Getty Images

Crotone left the home supporters stunned in the 68th minute when they equalised through Ante Budimir, who took advantage of poor Milan defending and beat Abbiati with a low shot into the bottom corner.

Milan responded well to the equaliser, going straight back onto the attack, but their wastefulness in the final third continued right up until the full-time whistle.

It was the Serie A favourites who were asking all of the questions in the first half of extra time and they finally forced the issue in the 105th minute when Giacomo Bonaventura powered a free kick into the back of the net following a foul on the edge of the area.

The hosts ensured their place in the next round of the competition with five minutes of extra time remaining when M'Baye Niang netted their third to make it look like the tie was less close than it actually was.

ID:260243: cacheID:260243:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5123:
Written by
Mark Langshaw
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Christian Abbiati of AC Milan reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 23, 2013
Read Next:
Abbiati pens new Milan deal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!