M. Balotelli has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by J. Mauri.
GOOOOOAAAALLL!!! BALOTELLI MAKES IT FIVE! Well, the Milan forward has, all in all, been shocking this evening, but he does well on this occasion to beat the Alessandria offside trap before driving in on goal and sliding a neat finish through the legs of Vannucchi.
It was a great pass by Jose Mauri, who picked out the Italy striker with a crisp, quick-fire throughball.
87'
CHANCE! WHAT A MISS FROM BACCA! That miss might have just matched Honda's from early on proceedings! The former Sevilla forward times his run to perfection in order to latch onto a long ball from deep. He looks all set to drill home Milan's fifth of the night - and sixth of the tie - but, with just the goalkeeper to beat, he can only skew his low strike well wide of the target.
85'
A bit more confusion surrounding that fourth Milan goal now. It appears that Romagnoli may in fact have got the final touch, rather than Sabato. It has gone down as an own goal for now, though that may change.
83'
R. Bocalon enters the game and replaces S. Branca.
A final change of the game now for Alessandria, as Simone Branca goes off and Riccardo Bocalon is introduced.
80'
R. Sabato is unfortunate, scores an own goal!
GOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLL!!! Well, what a strange goal that is! Zapata does brilliantly to stretch and keep the ball in play, drilling a cross back across the face of goal. It comes to Sabato at the back post, but rather than clear it, the Alessandria defender can only deflect the ball into his own goal via the crossbar - with the replays proving the ball was clearly over the line. Milan 4-0 Alessandria!
78'
CLOSE! That’s a good effort from Marras, as he drifts inside from his berth on the right onto his left foot before curling a strike towards the top-left corner of Abbiati’s net, but it sails just wide. Alessandria are certainly determined to get a goal on their trip to the San Siro!
77'
OFF THE LINE! That's so unlucky for the visitors! Marras again links up with Celjak, who puts in another testing delivery which squirms off Zapata and looks set to trickle in, but De Sciglio gets back to hook it clear on the goalline!
76'
C. Bacca enters the game and replaces J. Ménez.
A final change now for the hosts, though it is perhaps a rather unexpected one. Top-scorer Carlos Bacca is the player to come on - strange given that this game is all-but over - with Jeremy Menez, on the back of his first-half double, making way.
73'
Promising build-up once more from Alessandria but, just as they look to make some headway into Milan’s final third, they concede possession with a sloppy pass from Branca, before Marconi is pulled back for a foul on Romagnoli.
71'
A. Mezavilla enters the game and replaces M. Loviso.
A second substitution now for the visitors, as Massimo Loviso’s night comes to a premature end. Sartorio Mezavilla is his replacement.
Minute
Description
70'
HIGH AND WIDE! Milan win a free-kick 30 yards from goal, in a central position. Ballet lumbers up to take it, but his effort is a dreadful one and it sails well off-target. That sums up his night so far!
67'
CHANCE! That’s poor from Marras! The winger makes a great run in-behind Milan’s defence, but, after latching onto Fischnaller’s pass, he is unable to make a solid connection with his attempted pass and the chance is gone.
65'
It has been, in truth, become a rather dull and scrappy affair since the restart. Milan, perhaps as a result of the two changes, have been slow and sloppy in possession, while Alessandria lack the quality to be able to truly test their more illustrious opponents.
62'
M. Marconi enters the game and replaces S. Iocolano.
CHANCE! However, Alessandria keep up the pressure and are rewarded as Morero wins a free-kick down the right. Fischnaller rises highest to meet the resulting cross from Branca, but his header is directed just wide of the upright.
A first change of the game now for the visitors, as Simone Iocalono makes way for Michele Marconi.
60'
A rare opportunity now for the visitors, as Zapata is incorrectly deemed to have nudged the ball out of play for a corner. Branca delivers it… but his cross is a dreadful one and the chance goes amiss.
58'
K. Boateng enters the game and replaces G. Bonaventura.
A second Milan substitute now, as Giacomo Bonaventura - who has put in another quality display this evening - makes way for Kevin-Prince Boateng.
55'
Once more, Marras shows his quality with a clever, weaving run down the right wing, which results in him again laying it off to Celjak. The full back drills in a first-time cross, which takes a wicked deflection off a Milan defender, but Abbiati reacts quickly to prevent the ball going out for a corner to the visitors.
53'
Great play from Marras, with the diminutive winger dropping his shoulder and displaying some excellent footwork to evade the challenge of Antonelli not once, but twice. He eventually works it back out wide to the waiting Celjak, who drops in a floated cross, but Zapata is on hand to head it clear of danger.
51'
GOOD DEFENDING! That’s a fantastic tackle by Zapata, as the Colombian gets across to make a super last-ditch sliding challenge and prevent Fischnaller getting in a one-on-one situation with Abbiati.
48'
A rather sluggish start to the second period, as Milan, safe in the knowledge their place in the final is already booked, seem content to simply retain possession in midfield rather than force the issue and go for a fourth goal, while for Alessandria, it is simply a matter of damage limitation.
46'
J. Mauri enters the game and replaces J. Kucka.
The second half is up and running in Milan, as Alessandria get proceedings back under way. There has been one change at the break for the hosts, as Mihajlovic, probably with an eye on the upcoming Serie A fixture against Sassuolo, introduces Jose Mauri in place of Juraj Kucka.
44'
One player who has been almost anonymous so far this evening is Mario Balotelli. The former Inter striker has never looked to get involved in the hosts’ build-up play, and can often be seen berating his teammates for not feeding the ball into his feet. It’s been the only real disappointment for Milan so far, given he is such a talented player.
42'
Wasteful from Marras! The Alessandria winger does well to find some space in the Milan area, but he dawdles on the ball too long and his eventual shot is closed down by Antonelli.
39'
J. Ménez has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by A. Poli.
It really was a sublime bit of build-up play from Milan. Bonaventura started it with a drive in-field, with Poli playing a smart one-two with Honda before laying it on a platter for Menez, who made no mistake with the finish.
GOOOOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!MILAN MAKE IT 3-0! What a move that was! A scintillating piece of play from the hosts results in Honda combining with Poli to set the latter free in the penalty area. The midfielder gets his head up and has time to pick out an easy pass to Menez, who duly tucks home his second of the night with a neat first-time finish from close range.
37'
OFFSIDE! Another patient but crisp move from Milan leads to De Sciglio lofting in a floated cross from the right wing. Romagnoli again gets on the end of it, but this time the young defender is brought back for offside, so the goal would not have counted even if his header had been on target.
35'
Bonaventura is really starting to get into his stride now, as he once again cuts inside from the left wing to try and kick-start another Milan assault on the visitor’s goal with a pass into Kucka. However, his touch is a sloppy one and Marras intercepts, but Antonelli is on hand to make sure that Alessandria’s counter-attack is brought to an abrupt halt.
32'
Better now from Alessandria as they manage to mount a foray up field. They attempt to create some space in Milan’s penalty area, but are crowded out by the hosts, who launch a swift counter through Menez, but just as an opportunity opens up for the former PSG man to slide a pass into Balotelli, the winger fluffs his lines and the move breaks down.
30'
Great work from Honda down the right, as he jinks his way around his marker before drilling a cross towards Menez, but Sirri gets across to make the interception.
27'
Milan are well in control now, with their current two goal lead meaning they now have a 3-0 advantage on aggregate. Alessandra still look determined to try and make a game of this, however, though you do feel this may end up becoming a bit of an embarrassment for the visitors - not that their fans seem to care - they seem more focused on enjoying their night at the San Siro than the scoreline itself, and rightly so!
24'
A. Romagnoli has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by J. Kucka.
GOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!! ROMAGNOLI DOUBLES MILAN’S LEAD! It didn’t take long! From the resulting corner, Bonaventura puts in a swerving out-swinging cross that is headed goalwards by Kucka. Romagnoli looks to be offside at the back post, but the linesman doesn’t raise his flag and the defender duly nudges home his first goal for the Rossoneri.
It was a towering header from Juraj Kucka, who leapt higher than any other player in the crowded penalty area and got his rewards with an assist - though credit also has to go to Bonaventura for a superb delivery from the corner.
23'
Milan look to be getting into their stride now following that goal. Bonaventura picks up possession down on the left flank and does superbly to evade the challenges of two Alessandria defenders before whipping in a fantastic cross, which Sabato can only head wide for a corner.
20'
J. Ménez has scored a goal for AC Milan! Assist by K. Honda.
GOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!!! MILAN TAKE THE LEAD!! Finally, a breakthrough for the hosts as Honda picks out Menez with a sublime lofted pass. The Frenchman takes a great first touch, before then drilling a low drive across Vannucchi and into the bottom-left corner. Milan 1-0 Alessandria!
While the goal is a real sucker-punch for the visitors following a bright start to proceedings, it showed the gulf in class between the two sides, with Keisuke Honda's precise and perfectly weighted throughball atoning for his glaring miss earlier on.
18'
A mistake from Vannucchi gifts the hosts a throw-in high up field. Balotelli takes it, combining with Bonaventura before teeing it up off to Kucka. The powerful midfielder tries a sharp one-two with the former Manchester City forward, but the return pass is slightly overhit and the chance goes begging. It's certainly been a lively start at the San Siro!
15'
DOUBLE CHANCE! That’s good defending from Loviso, as the Alessandria midfielder gets back in timely fashion to prevent Honda’s pass finding Kucka. Milan maintain the pressure, with Menez trying his luck from range, but Vannucchi is equal to the effort.
13'
SAVE! Superb play from the visitors, who flood forward on the counter-attack at pace. Marras is again the architect with a carving run into the area, before he lays off a neat pass into the path of the onrushing full-back, but Abbiati is alert to the danger and makes the stop.
11'
Well, while Milan have certainly seen more of the ball so far, Alessandria have shown no lack of attacking intent themselves, There is no doubt that the hosts should be ahead though. Can the visitors make that Honda miss a costly one?
9'
CLOSE! Awful play at the other end from Abbiati, who concedes possession with a sloppy pass. Marisa picks up the scraps and threads through a pass to Locolano, but the veteran Milan goalkeeper recovers from his initial mistake to come out quickly and smother the danger.
8'
WHAT A MISS!!! That’s awful from Honda! Kucka does superbly to work his way through Alessandria’s defence before driving into the area. The midfielder squares a neat cross into the path of Honda but, somehow, the Japanese manages to drill his effort over the bar from the edge of the six yard box.
7'
Milan are seeing a lot of the ball here in the early stages, with Bonaventura already displaying that knack of picking up little pockets of space in dangerous areas between the opposition’s back four and midfield. The former Atalanta winger attempts to carve an opening down the left, but he is well-tackled by Celjak.
5'
That’s decent from Alessandria! The minnows launch an attack down the right wing, with Marras latching onto the loose ball from Nicco’s blocked cross. The aforementioned winger cuts inside onto his left foot, but his eventual effort sails harmlessly into the arms of Abbiati.
3'
As you would expect, Milan make a swift start, with Antonelli and Bonaventura combining down the left before switching play out to Honda on the opposite flank. The former CSKA Moscow playmaker looks set to try and whip a cross into the area, but instead, he elects to retain possession and the hosts are forced to go all the way back to their goalkeeper.
1'
KICK-OFF! We are underway at San Siro, in just the second competitive meeting between the two sides in 56 years. At the sound of the whistle from referee Marco Guida, the hosts get proceedings up and running!
Hello ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to our LIVE coverage of the second-leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final between in-form AC Milan and third-tier outfit Alessandria. Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side head into this evening’s fixture with a slender 1-0 lead from the first meeting – given to them by a Mario Balotelli penalty – putting the Serie A giants firmly in pole position to reach the final of a tournament they have not won since 2003. Stick right here for all the action as it happens from the San Siro!
On the other hand, Lega Pro Group A side Alessandria – who beat Serie A sides Palermo and Genoa on their way to the last four – have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, and make the short trip north to Milan for the first time in 80 years for this evening’s clash. Mihajlovic looked to stress the importance of not underestimating the Pledimont-based minnows in his pre-match press conference, but it really is hard to imagine anything more than a victory for the hosts…
The team news is in from San Siro, and there are several changes for both sides this evening from the line ups that started the first leg just over a month ago. For the hosts, Mihajlovic makes three changes in total. After grabbing the winning goal in the first leg, Liverpool loanee Balotelli retains his place up front, though his strike partner has changed from Luiz Adriano to Jeremy Menez, who makes just his first start of the season. The other switches see Jose Mauri, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Gianluigi Donnarumma drop out for Juraj Kucka, Giacomo Bonaventura and Christian Abbiati respectively. Meanwhile, the visitors make three changes, with Angelo Gregucci lining up the visitors in a 4-3-3 set-up. Let’s check on the full lineups, starting off with Milan.
The Rossoneri, who have not appeared in a Coppa Italia final since they claimed the famous trophy for the fifth time 13 years ago, head into the second-leg on the back of a quite superb run of form, with Mihajlovic having guided his men to 11 games unbeaten in all competitions – a streak which has seen them rise into sixth place in Serie A – just one point behind rivals Inter, who face league-leaders Juventus in the other semi-final. After falling victim to Udinese and Lazio in the last two campaigns, they have enjoyed a relatively easy route to the latter stages of the competition this time around – though they have had to overcome top-flight opposition in the form of Sampdoria and Carpi respectively in the last two rounds.
TEAM NEWS - Milan substitutes: Donnarumma, Livieri, Alex, Abate, Simic, Calabria, Mauri, Locatelli, Bertolacci, Crociata, Boateng, Bacca.
TEAM NEWS - Milan (4-4-2): Abbiati; De Sciglio, Zapata, Romagnoli, Antonelli; Honda, Poli, Kucka, Bonaventura; Balotelli, Menez.
It’s certainly a strong starting line up for the hosts, who are clearly looking to get this tie wrapped up as swiftly as possible and of course, avoid any nasty scare in the process. Bonaventura has been a real star in the Rossoneri’s recent revival, and the silky playmaker starts out wide on the left once more this evening in the hope he can provide the ammunition for Balotelli and Menez against a defence that have not kept a clean sheet in their last seven fixtures.
While there are still slim hopes of an all-Milan final, it does look rather unlikely. Juventus have a 3-0 lead over the Rossoneri’s city rivals Inter heading into the second leg of that tie. In the even more unlikely event Alessandria, finalists back in 1930, manage to go through this evening, they would make history - becoming the first ever third-tier side to get to a Coppa Italia final.
HALF-TIME! Well, that’s it for the first half here at the San Siro, where Milan are well on their way to a first Coppa Italia final since They lead 3-0 over third-tier Alessandria on the night, with a 4-0 advantage on aggregate.
It was a rather tricky start for the hosts, in all truth, with Alessandria pressing them high in the hopes of nicking an early goal on the counter attack. However, after Honda had missed a gilt-edged chance to give them the lead, Milan did so on the 20th minute as Menez drilled home his first goal. Romagnoli doubled their lead soon after before, shortly before half-time, the aforementioned Menez capped off a free-flowing attack to get himself on the scoresheet for the second time, and all but wrap up this cup tie.
FULL TIME! That’s that from the San Siro this evening, with the referee deciding not to add any time on to this game. It has finished Milan 5-0 Alessandria on the night, and 6-0 on aggregate to the Rossoneri, who will face Juventus or their city rivals Inter in the final - their first since 2003.
In all truth, the scoreline is an unfair reflection on the performance of the minnows Alessandria, who created plenty - especially in the early stages of the first half and later phase of the second. In the end, though, Milan’s top-flight quality shone through and the eased through courtesy of strikes from Menez, Romagnoli, Balotelli and a Sabato’s own goal. Next up for Mihajlovic’s men is a trip to Sassuolo, who sit just a place below the Rossoneri in Serie A.
Well, that’s all from me for this evening. It has been an absolute pleasure to bring you all the action from the San Siro, where Milan have brushed aside third-tier side Alessandria to book their place in the Coppa Italia final. Until next time, thank you and goodbye!
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