GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! BACCA MAKES IT 2-0! The former Sevilla striker tucks a low finish inside the far post, sealing the win for the away side and consigning Sampdoria to cup defeat!
90' +2
Abbiati is taking his time with the visitors' goal kicks, as Milan try to take all of the possible sting out of this game. Cassano chases a long pass forward, having previously fired just wide of the target, but Mexes sweeps up and plays a backpass to his goalkeeper.
90' +1
We're into the first of four minutes of stoppage time.
90'
Niang sends a dipping through ball into the heart of the danger area, but Bacca is unable to chase it down without a shooting angle disappearing! The Colombia international is looking very tired at the moment, with a goal just not seeming to be on the horizon for him either.
88'
A long, aimless clearance from Honda is gobbled up by Viviano, with the Sampdoria goalkeeper getting the ball back upfield as quickly as possible. Milan win possession back and respond by keeping possession neatly, with Fernando penalised for a tug on the shirt of Mauri.
86'
Sampdoria win a corner on the left flank, but Moisander is unable to rise high enough at the near post to make meaningful contact! We're into the final five minutes of the action, with Mihajlovic's side still holding the one-goal lead necessary to progress in this competition.
84'
Milan are trying to box the home side in, by earning yardage high upfield and conceding throw ins in useful areas. Sampdoria's attacks are petering out at the moment, with too many players trying to do too much themselves. Niang breaks down the left for Milan, but a fizzing cross-cum-shot is just missed at the far upright by Bacca!
82'
J. Mauri enters the game and replaces A. Bertolacci.
Cassano tries to send a looping through ball into the path of an onrushing teammate, but the pass instead bobbles straight through to Abbiati! It would have been a great pass, but Lazaros wasn't quite on the same wavelength as his experienced forward.
Mauri comes into the game for the away side, with the ex-Parma youngster not getting many minutes under his belt this season as of yet.
80'
The hosts now have only 10 minutes to equalise, which would take this fixture to its fullest extent. Sampdoria are retaining possession well, with Milan happy to sit back and leave Niang up top to chase lost causes. Cassano concedes a needless free kick in a poor area to bring down Bertolacci.
78'
Sampdoria win themselves a corner on the left-hand side, which is dangerously whipped in towards the near post. After the ball is half cleared at the near upright, Lazaros is quickly denied from turning. La Samp keep the pressure on, following a terrible half-clearance from De Sciglio, but are unable to generate a shooting opportunity. Moments later, Cassano jinks into the area, before testing Abbiati at his near post!
Minute
Description
77'
A. Poli enters the game and replaces G. Bonaventura.
A. Cassano enters the game and replaces L. Muriel.
Montella rolls the dice, with former Milan forward Cassano thrown into the fray at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris for the dying embers of this contest. The ex-Italy international needs to inspire his teammates to quite the comeback.
Poli comes into the game for the away side, with that change perhaps a sign that Mihajlovic would be happy to see this result out.
76'
Time is beginning to run out for the home side, but they are trying to be positive despite their situation. Sampdoria are getting hold of the ball and then trying to take the game to the Rossoneri.
74'
Sampdoria try to make inroads down the left-hand side, but Lazaros is unable to carry the ball forward. Muriel is picked out on the edge of the penalty box, but the Colombia international is quickly mobbed by red and black shirts. Montella's men are trying to make something happen with just a quarter of an hour left on the clock.
72'
Less than 20 minutes remain, with it now being the home fans that are making a lot of noise. Milan are happy to slow possession down and keep hold of the ball, with the 10 men of Sampdoria asked to waste their energy reserves by chasing. De Sciglio and Honda try to combine on the edge of the penalty area, but Regini slides in well to deny them.
71'
K. Honda enters the game and replaces A. Cerci.
After not contributing much all evening, the former Atletico Madrid forward is called back to the bench, with Honda introduced in his place.
70'
Panic stations for Montella, with Sampdoria now needing to restructure and reorganise themselves, before getting back into the thick of the action. Milan float a long ball forward that searches for Niang, but the Frenchman does well with it. The Frenchman picks out Bonaventura at the back post, but the Italian can only place a terrible header over the bar!
68'
D. Mesbah enters the game and replaces C. Carbonero.
Mesbah comes into the game for the home side, with Regini shifted inside to a more central defensive position. The Algerian substitute will ply his trade at left-back, as the hosts try to steady the ship and keep themselves in with the chance of grabbing an equaliser.
66'
The hosts now have a huge mountain to climb, with Montella's men forced to try and come back from a 1-0 deficit with merely 10 men. Zukanovic's dimissal could be key to them crashing out of the Coppa Italia for another year - much to the evident disgust of their fans.
64'
E. Zukanović gets yellow.
E. Zukanović goes off after a red card!
Bookings and fouls continue to plague this fixture, with players needing to watch their step. Yellow cards have been aplenty thus far, with the official clearly unafraid to make any kind of big decisions.
After bundling Kucka to the ground, the central defender picks up what looks to be a very harsh booking, with the ex-Genoa midfielder appearing to make a real meal of the challenge.
SECOND YELLOW IN QUICK SUCCESSION! Following his disgust at Kucka's reaction to his tackle, the Sampdoria man races over to the referee and gives him a real piece of his mind! Clearly, the defender said something that the official didn't like, with a second caution brandished furiously! La Samp are down to ten!
62'
Muriel tries to wriggle away from the attention of his marker, but the Colombian striker is left in a heap on the floor. Milan counter, with Bacca fed possession on the edge of the box, but Zukanovic makes a timely block to deny the former Club Brugge man.
61'
L. Christodoulopoulos gets yellow.
M. De Sciglio gets yellow.
The Italy international is penalised for a petty reaction to a challenge from Lazaros.
The substitute has barely been on the pitch, but picks up a caution for his part in a disagreement with De Sciglio.
59'
L. Christodoulopoulos enters the game and replaces F. Bonazzoli.
After a very quiet performance from the young striker, Lazaros comes into the game for the hosts. That might signal a change in shape from Sampdoria, who could leave solely Muriel up top.
58'
Milan win themselves a free kick on the left-hand side, but Soriano rises well to deny the delivery in from Bonaventura. Sampdoria try to counter, but Kucka tracks back brilliantly to deny the aforementioned Italian. End-to-end action at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris.
56'
The opening 10 minutes of the second half have had a real ebb and flow about them, with the hosts trying to get back onto level terms now. After a poor opening 45 minutes, Niang has stood up to be counted when it has mattered. Last time these two teams met, the Frenchman bagged a brace.
54'
The second half has burst into life as a result of Niang's opening goal, with the Rossoneri suddenly coming under more pressure from a resurgent Sampdoria outfit. Carbonero whips a cross in from the left flank, but the ball bobbles straight behind for a goal kick.
52'
Muriel is set away in behind enemy lines, as La Samp look for an immediate response to falling behind! The ex-Udinese striker manages to ghost into the Milan penalty area, before cutting back onto his preferred right foot. After seeing his eventual close-range effort deflected off Mexes, the Rossoneri will be glad to see the rebound skip up into Abbiati's arms!
50'
M. Niang has scored a goal for AC Milan!
Niang tries to lift a crossfield ball out to Cerci, but the former Torino man is caught criminally offside on the opposite flank. The start to the second half has been competitive and tenacious, with Fernando continuing to put himself about in the heart of the action.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! NIANG GIVES THE VISITORS THE LEAD! The Frenchman keeps his cool to slot a low finish into the bottom-right corner, after doing well to get into the box! Sampdoria had to do more there to deny the Milan forward.
48'
A long, searching through ball tries to pick out Muriel for the hosts, but Abbiati is very quick off his line to ensure that the Colombia international isn't able to nip in ahead of him. Milan respond with an attack of their own, but Bonaventura is unable to keep a pass in play after being released towards the left byline.
46'
We are underway in the second half! Milan have perhaps had the better of the chances thus far, but Sampdoria have looked dangerous on the break. If Eder was available, Montella's men might have even been able to open the scoring.
45'
Bonaventura dips a cross in from the left byline, but Zukanovic heads clear with ease! Soriano is now felled by a boisterous challenge by Kucka, with the referee needing to make sure that he doesn't leave himself in a tough position regarding dismissals.
43'
Milan take their time with some more measured possession, but Niang and Bacca continue to look very isolated. up top. A long pass aimed towards Niang is headed clear by Regini, before the rebound is claimed by Bonaventura. The Italy international dances to the edge of the box, but his eventual right-footed shot is blocked easily. Sampdoria counter, with Carbonero forcing a near-post save out of Abbiati!
41'
Reasonable stop from Abbiati! Muriel lets fly from the edge of the penalty area, with the Italian goalkeeper getting down smartly to his left-hand side to push a trickling strike wide of the bottom-right corner! The resulting corner is initially met by Soriano, with the Milan shot-stopper gobbling up the scraps.
40'
Not long remains for either side to find a first-half opener, with Fernando mustering up a shot from range! The Brazilian doesn't worry Abbiati, however, with the experienced shot-stopper happy to let a tame, bouncing strike bobble across the face of his goal and wide.
38'
Bacca is the target of a long, looping cross in from the right-hand side, but Viviano is quick off his line to deny the Colombian forward. Kucka is penalised for a foul on Fernando, with Sampdoria taking the resulting free kick quickly. Muriel tries to bundle his way through enemy lines with some neat dribbling, but the ex-Udinese striker is dipossessed cleanly in the box.
36'
Only 10 minutes remain in the first half, with Viviano only having to make one save thus far. Abbiati hasn't even been tested, with chances proving to be hard to create here tonight. Niang tries to curl a left-footed effort goalwards from the right flank, but is denied by a sliding block.
34'
I. Abate gets yellow.
Cynical fouls continue to characterise this game, with any promising attacks soon put to rest by niggling tackles and pushes. The referee has had to be very busy with his cards in the opening half an hour or so, which could influence some second-half substitutions.
Another dangerous Sampdoria attack is halted on the halfway-line by the Italy international, with the referee not afraid to use his cards.
32'
De Sciglio stands up well to Bonazzioli and prevents the youngster from turning on the edge of the box, with Sampdoria trying to find some staying power in the opposition half. Regini and Carbonero try to combine down the left, but the former can merely win a corner from Abate. The Milan right-back slid in well to deny his man.
30'
Milan win themselves a free kick on the periphery of the penalty area, with a few visiting players stood menacingly over it. Cerci steps up and tries to curl a left-footed effort towards the top-right corner, but Viviano is happy to watch the tame attempt bounce well wide of his upright.
28'
Mexes and Romagnoli combine to clear a speculative cross in from the right flank, with Sampdoria trying to react to a lengthy spell of Rossoneri dominance. Bonaventura wriggles his way to the left byline yet again, but the Italy international can only see a low shot deflected behind for a corner. Set pieces galore for Mihajlovic's charges.
26'
Cerci and Niang combine well down the right-hand side, before a low cross from the latter is carefully knocked behind for a corner by Fernando. After the referee spends some time intervening with some pushing, a delivery is whipped towards the edge of the box! Abate hits a second-time effort, which Niang can only flick into the awaiting grasp of Viviano!
25'
A dangerous cross into the box from Cerci is hacked desperately away by Zukanovic, with the Rossoneri beginning to grow into the contest a little more. Milan win a throw in, in an advanced position on the right, but a long throw from Abate is headed half clear by Fernando. A resulting cross into the box is controlled well by Niang, before the young forward lashes a half-volleyed effort just shy of the top left-hand corner!
24'
Good save from Viviano! Bonaventura makes his way down the left-hand side, before reaching the byline! The Italy international sits Cassani down with a neat piece of skill, before blasting a low drive straight at the Sampdoria goalkeeper! Moments later, Bacca has a neat finish in the back of the net, but the ex-Sevilla striker is denied by the offside flag.
22'
Niang tries to lead the charge down the right-hand side, but Ivan diligently covers across to slide in and deny the pacy forward. Moments later, Milan pose a second assult down the right flank, but Fernando comes out on top. Play is opened out to Muriel on the opposite wing, but a curling cross-cum-shot from the Colombia international is headed clear of danger by Romagnoli.
20'
The first Rossoneri corner delivery from the right is headed behind for a second set piece. After a disappointing initial attempt, the second is headed away by Muriel at the near upright. Milan are enjoying a decent spell of possession, but no real danger is being created by Mihajlovic's men.
18'
Scrappy fouls continue to break up the flow of play, with Soriano and Mexes both guilty of it recently. Neither goalkeeper has been worked as of yet, with the majority of play taking place in the centre of the field. Abate tries to swing a cross in from the right flank, but the ex-Torino full-back's delivery is deflected behind for a corner.
16'
P. Mexès gets yellow.
Fernando is certainly in the wars of late, with the Sampdoria midfielder winning another free kick for his side, after a lazy tackle from Cerci. Mexes manages to half clear the resulting set-piece delivery, before Niang mops up the scraps with a sweeping half volley. Chances are at a premium at the moment.
The Frenchman is quickly given a booking after cynically clipping the heels of Muriel. A deserved card.
14'
Bonaventura is picked out on the edge of the penalty area, but the ex-Atalanta man can only see a shot charged down with ease. La Samp try to muster up an attack of their own, after gallivanting down the right flank. Mexes steps out of the Rossoneri back four to dispossess Soriano simply, however. Moments later, a long crossfield ball that was looking for Cerci is shepherded back to Viviano by Regini.
12'
Milan win themselves a corner on the left flank, but the delivery into the area is cut out by the first man! The visitors are attempting to pile on some pressure, but there are plenty of blue and white shirts standing in their path, with the edge of the Sampdoria box particularly congested. Niang and Bacca don't have much space to operate in at present.
10'
Another Sampdoria attack peters out, with Abbiati able to take a goal kick. The Rossoneri try to settle into the contest with a lengthy spell of possession, with Niang attempting to jink his way down the left flank. After cutting inside, the Milan forward is felled by a good tackle from Fernando. The hosts counter, but an eventual dart into the penalty area from Bonazzoli is gobbled up by the goalkeeper.
8'
Fernando goes down heavily after being accidentally caught in the face by Niang, but the Frenchman is very apologetic towards his opponent. Mihajlovic is now prowling his technical area, with Milan not having the most positive of starts at the Luigi Ferraris. Bacca is yet to get a touch of the ball, with only one attempted pass from Niang being cut out by Zukanovic.
6'
Soriano strikes the wall with the aforementioned free-kick attempt, with this match having some great action during the opening stages! It is end-to-end stuff, with both sets of fans egging their sides on loudly. Possession is being regularly lost in midfield, owing to tenacious and competitive battling.
4'
A. Bertolacci gets yellow.
Milan win themselves a free kick on the left-hand side, with Fernando coming across and clipping the heels of Niang. The set piece comes to absolutely nothing, with Sampdoria racing down the other end on the break as a result. Soriano gets to the edge of the box, before going down, with the referee awarding a very dangerous dead-ball situation.
Soriano goes down on the edge of the area, after some apparent contact on his standing leg from the former Genoa midfielder.
2'
Both goalkeepers get early touches of the ball, with Abbiati and Viviano being found by cushioned backpasses. The atmosphere inside the stadium is pumping, with the home fans making plenty of noise. A few early fouls categorise the early minutes, with Muriel, Fernando and Niang penalised.
1'
We are underway in the first half at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris! Milan come into this game in much better form and in a better position in the league table, but anything can happen in the Coppa Italia!
Hello and welcome to live coverage of one of tonight's Coppa Italia cup ties, as Milan travel to face Serie A outfit Sampdoria. Neither side are quite performing to expectation at the moment, so battling for this trophy in winning fashion should appease their disappointed fans for the time being! After slightly poor domestic form, this clash is a chance for both clubs to get some positive momentum going.
Sampdoria have avoided defeat merely once in their last five games, with a draw against Lazio last time out stopping the rot. Milan, meanwhile, find themselves in seventh place in the league table after a run of adequate results. Last time these two top-flight outfits met, the Rossoneri managed to dispatch their opponents by a 4-1 scoreline at San Siro. Giacomo Bonaventura, Mbaye Niang and Luiz Adriano grabbed the goals for the victors, with Eder netting a late consolation for La Samp.
TEAM NEWS: Federico Bonazzoli gets a start up top for the home side, with Eder sitting this one out from the start. Luis Muriel will be alongside the youngster, with the hosts appearing to be working with a 4-3-1-2 formation this evening. Roberto Soriano will provide energy in midfield, with Fernando adding a little bit of bite. Nikolas Moisander and Ervin Zukanovic form a strong central-defensive partnership, with Mattia Cassani starting at left-back.
TEAM NEWS: Christian Abbiati starts in between the sticks for the visitors, with Philippe Mexes starting alongside Alessio Romagnoli in the heart of the back four. Former Genoa duo Jan Kucka and Andrea Bertolacci start in midfield, along with Alessio Cerci and Giacomo Bonaventura. Carlos Bacca and Mbaye Niang start up top, with the Frenchman hoping to replicate his last performance against Sampdoria. No real selection surprises tonight, with Sinisa Mihajlovic picking a very strong starting 11.
Milan starting line-up (4-4-2): Abbiati; Abate, Mexes, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Cerci, Bertolacci, Kucka, Bonaventura; Bacca, Niang.
Milan substitutes: Donnarumma, Suso, Antonelli, Honda, Poli, Mauri, De Jong, Simic, Zapata, Calabria, Livieri, Montolivo, Luiz Adriano.
HALF TIME! The two sides go into the break with a scoreline at 0-0, with both goalkeepers only forced into very routine saves thus far. Both teams have enjoyed spells of reasonable pressure, but this contest desperately needs a goal. There's plenty of time left for the deadlock to be broken, however!
FULL TIME! Sampdoria crash out of the Coppa Italia, courtesy of a 2-0 defeat to Milan on home soil! Goals from Niang and Bacca were enough for the Rossoneri, against the ten men of Montella. Hard-fought and end-to-end stuff throughout, in what was a very gritty affair indeed. That's all we have time for, we hope to see you next time.
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