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00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 Hello, Rastoneri, and welcome to Casa Milan Studios.
00:21 This is AC Milan Talk.
00:22 We are ready for a new weekly episode
00:24 with all the goings on on our men's, women's,
00:27 and under-19s teams focusing on their last performances.
00:31 But first of all, let me say hello to my two guests.
00:34 Welcome to Adriano Del Monte.
00:36 Adriano, how are you?
00:36 Hello, Licia.
00:37 Good as always.
00:38 Good to see you.
00:39 And welcome also to Sheridan Bird.
00:40 Hi, Sheridan.
00:41 Hi, Licia.
00:41 Hi, Adriano.
00:42 Great to be back.
00:43 Plenty of talking points, as always,
00:47 focusing on new performances and new fixtures
00:50 ahead of our Rastoneri.
00:52 So let's start with our men's first team.
00:54 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:58 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
00:59 [LAUGHTER]
01:02 Still maintaining their side, they can find a breakthrough.
01:06 We tended nil-nil between Juventus and AC Milan.
01:10 And there are also four matches go on.
01:14 But this result with a point apiece
01:18 kept the distance between the two sides
01:21 at five points in the race.
01:23 So it's a good result for the Rastoneri.
01:27 Good result away from home, away to Juventus.
01:29 To get that point, the race for second place.
01:31 Still alive, but obviously an important point
01:34 to ensure.
01:35 Almost there.
01:36 Four games to go, as you said.
01:37 So still some football to be played this season.
01:40 I think, look, you look at the other results
01:42 around the league, obviously some tight matches there
01:45 between some of the top clubs.
01:47 But look, I think on any occasion
01:49 to go away from home against Juventus
01:52 and to take a clean sheet, I think
01:54 that's a positive result.
01:55 So you can see now the standings nice and clear there
01:58 in second five clear of Juve.
02:00 And of course, top five Champions League.
02:03 Sheridan, some basic mathematics there,
02:05 11 points between Milan and Roma.
02:07 So look, the Champions League is secure.
02:10 Back to the European elite next season, of course,
02:12 something to look forward to.
02:14 In the end, no goals.
02:15 Hopefully we can see more of them
02:16 in these remaining four rounds of football.
02:18 But as I said, I think a clean sheet,
02:20 a strong defensive performance, especially
02:21 given how many defenders were out of this match
02:23 through suspension, I think that's a positive takeaway.
02:26 - Also considering that among Stefano Pellis's lads,
02:29 there were significant absence
02:31 and the Rossoneri managed it very well
02:34 against the Bianconeri, Sheridan.
02:36 - Exactly, a large portion of the Scudetto winning defence
02:39 was unavailable.
02:40 Magic Mike, Mike Mignon, got injured early on.
02:43 We were without the full backs,
02:45 Theo Calabria, Fikayo Tomori as well.
02:47 So a clean sheet against Juventus
02:49 is always a good thing in Turin, that is,
02:52 or regardless of the venue.
02:53 And a clean sheet with a scratched defence,
02:56 I think is something to be proud of.
02:58 I wouldn't say it's something to celebrate
03:00 because Milan aim higher than getting draws
03:03 even against the top side.
03:05 But it's something to be pleased with
03:08 in the sense that it was a really tough fixture
03:10 in demanding circumstances due to the banned players
03:15 and the injured players.
03:16 And the man who took over from Mike Mignon,
03:18 Sportiello, as just been shown there,
03:21 he was in outstanding form.
03:23 He really played well,
03:24 had very little time to prepare for this match
03:26 and he looked the part.
03:28 - And talking about goalkeepers,
03:32 he was a great protagonist at the Allianz Stadium.
03:36 Maybe the most unexpected started,
03:38 but he then was the significant factor during the match
03:42 and he was rewarded with being voted as the MVP
03:46 against this match for Juventus.
03:50 And Marcos Sportiello, we are talking about him,
03:53 and his evening at the Allianz Stadium
03:55 was anything but boring.
03:57 So let's listen to his post-match reaction
04:00 shared with Milan TV.
04:01 - You always have to be ready for a goalkeeper.
04:06 It's a bit different.
04:07 It's a bit, if I may say so, a bit more difficult.
04:11 But lately, in recent years, it's happened to me often,
04:14 so, to tell you the truth,
04:16 I'm quite prepared for that.
04:19 But it was an important, delicate match
04:23 and I'm happy with my performance.
04:29 I didn't play for Sassuolo for a few weeks.
04:33 I hadn't played for a long time after the injury,
04:35 so it went well.
04:38 - As he said, the importance of being ready.
04:41 - Absolutely.
04:42 - It's very tough to comprehend how difficult that would be
04:45 to be a goalkeeper and come in off only minutes notice,
04:48 Mainz-Yahn, picking up an injury before the match.
04:50 And to come in and have that impact,
04:52 that takes real quality.
04:53 That takes real class.
04:54 So I think we're very lucky to have a goalkeeper
04:57 of Sportiello's quality there,
04:59 waiting in the wings, if and when called upon.
05:03 I can tell you, Sheridan,
05:04 I had the best seat in the house to watch this match
05:06 because I was seated right behind Sportiello's goal,
05:09 both halves in this match, sitting on the pitch,
05:11 watching.
05:12 Look, especially in that second half,
05:13 we're seeing some of the vision here,
05:14 but Juventus were pressing,
05:16 and Sportiello's form, his calmness, his composure,
05:21 and also the way that he led the defence.
05:23 He really led the squad from the back.
05:25 And I was really impressed,
05:28 and no surprise whatsoever,
05:29 he came out with the MVP on the night there.
05:32 And again, he needs to be ready when called upon.
05:34 He was, he's delivered,
05:35 and that's why he's a Milan player.
05:37 So look, hopefully we wish Mainz-Yahn a speedy recovery,
05:40 and hopefully he's back soon,
05:41 but to have the comfort of Sportiello there,
05:44 waiting when ready, it's very pleasing.
05:47 - And keeping our focus on the defensive area, Sheridan,
05:50 I would like to comment from you guys,
05:53 starting with you, Sheridan,
05:55 about the performance for Matteo Gabbia and Malik Chau.
05:59 - A really good performance,
06:01 considering they're a partnership
06:02 that haven't played together too often.
06:04 And central defensive partnerships are so important
06:07 in any kind of football,
06:08 particularly top-level football.
06:09 You need to work out what your partner's good at,
06:12 what he can't do so well that you can cover for.
06:15 And yeah, Gabbia and Chau,
06:17 I think covered each other's strengths,
06:19 or exploited each other's strengths,
06:21 and covered each other's weaknesses very well.
06:25 And you add to that Sportiello,
06:26 and I think you've got a very solid triangle
06:29 protecting the Milan goal,
06:30 which explains the highly valuable clean sheet.
06:33 And if I could just briefly go back to Sportiello,
06:36 I've always been impressed with his calmness,
06:38 and he is a leader.
06:39 I remember his press conference
06:40 when he joined in the summer,
06:42 and he came across as someone
06:43 who's played a lot of football,
06:44 been around for a long time,
06:46 and not much stresses him, not much phases him.
06:49 So I think he's a really good addition to the squad.
06:51 - I was impressed also there, and Malik Chau as well.
06:54 Of course, it's been a tough season for a lot of players
06:57 in and out of, in terms of injuries and whatnot,
06:59 but Chau, particularly in that partnership with Gabbia,
07:03 really liked his presence and his confidence leading.
07:07 Again, it's very difficult
07:08 against something we can't really understand,
07:10 not as players, but very difficult to come together
07:13 as a new back four with so many leaders missing.
07:16 And I think Malik really stepped up
07:18 and rose to the challenge.
07:19 So it's moments like this,
07:20 which will hold this squad in better stead
07:22 going into next season.
07:24 And that's why I really harp on the fact
07:26 of taking a clean sheet away to Juventus,
07:28 with obviously a team in Juventus
07:30 that haven't been super consistent of late,
07:32 but that is a team with some great attacking quality.
07:36 To keep that clean sheet, I think,
07:37 is a really important outcome for this defence.
07:40 - And after the 90 minutes on the pitch,
07:43 also our head coach, Stefano Pioli,
07:44 commented with Milan TV on his last performance
07:48 and on the next fixture scheduled
07:51 for the last four matchdays of this season.
07:55 So let's listen to his words and his thoughts with Milan TV.
07:58 - I liked the desire to get results,
08:03 the desire to fight and sacrifice.
08:05 I think we played a really good first half,
08:08 then we dropped a bit.
08:09 We made a few wrong offensive situations,
08:11 where we could have finished the game better,
08:15 or ended the offensive action better.
08:17 But we worked hard.
08:19 The lads were very attentive,
08:20 very willing.
08:22 A positive result, I repeat,
08:24 that will help us to try to finish
08:27 the season as well as possible.
08:28 I ask and we ask ourselves
08:30 to be Milan players.
08:32 Four games is a lot,
08:34 we have three home games,
08:35 we want to get as many points as possible.
08:36 So I ask for what they know,
08:39 seriousness, will, sense of belonging,
08:42 professionalism.
08:43 We have to respect everything we've done so far
08:47 and try to finish the season
08:48 in the best way possible,
08:49 even if maybe the season didn't go
08:51 as we hoped and wanted.
08:55 - So the aim is clear,
08:57 to gain as many points as possible.
09:00 - Gain as many points as possible,
09:02 get that second spot and finish the season
09:05 on a high, Mr. Pioli said there, of course.
09:07 There's been moments in the campaign,
09:09 but to respond when it's been tough
09:11 is what has been impressive
09:12 about this squad's character.
09:14 New players coming in,
09:15 integrating into the team,
09:17 they can secure second place.
09:18 I think it will be a strong finish
09:20 to a season where,
09:22 obviously the silverware not to show,
09:24 but I think to build into next season,
09:26 that's very important,
09:27 these next four matches,
09:29 we end on a high.
09:30 - And looking to the weekend,
09:32 next up will be at San Siro
09:35 against Genoa.
09:36 What about this match?
09:38 Also, we have to consider that
09:40 during the next clash
09:42 among Stefano Pioli's lads,
09:45 there will be another two important absences.
09:50 We are talking about Mike Mignone
09:52 and Ruben Loftus-Chick,
09:54 and this is a great point to consider.
09:57 - Yeah, it's not, things aren't easy
09:58 in the sense of players who won't be available,
10:00 and Genoa are a team
10:01 who I think have surprised
10:03 a lot of Serie A neutrals this season
10:05 with their form.
10:06 They've got a manager, a head coach,
10:09 who is very familiar with Milan fans,
10:11 Alberto Gilardino,
10:12 who once played for Milan up front many years ago,
10:15 well, not many years ago,
10:16 but a few years ago,
10:18 and they'll be a tough team to play against.
10:20 Milan have already faced them in Liguria
10:23 in a dramatic match,
10:24 which we'll talk about shortly,
10:26 but it'll be a difficult game.
10:28 Genoa are certainly a side that,
10:30 tactically, are very well prepared,
10:32 very well set up,
10:33 and they've got some dangerous players,
10:35 so it could be,
10:36 well, it's a match that Milan have to be fully attentive,
10:40 preparing for and playing.
10:41 - This was the match earlier in the season,
10:42 1-0 late, Pulisic winner there.
10:44 They're a tough team,
10:45 very, very tough team.
10:46 We know at home they are very tough to beat,
10:49 but they've had some good performances
10:51 against some of the top teams in Serie A this season,
10:55 and very recently have taken on the likes of Juventus
10:58 and Inter and Fiorentina,
10:59 so, look, it's a team that are a mid-table,
11:02 but I don't think the standing should be reflective
11:04 of the threat that they possess.
11:07 Of course, a couple of weapons in attack,
11:09 Gudmundsen in great form,
11:11 so should be a good match,
11:13 and of course, those were some fun scenes as well.
11:15 We saw there.
11:16 - We remember very well.
11:17 - You were in the shirt after it was done.
11:19 I recall that very well.
11:20 - That's a similar episode.
11:22 - Yeah, that was a very fun episode,
11:24 one of our enjoyable episodes,
11:26 one of many,
11:26 but, look, it's gonna be a tough team,
11:28 and last time we needed that
11:30 to ensure the points were taken home,
11:32 but at San Siro,
11:33 obviously not too many matches remaining at San Siro,
11:36 sell-out crowds, a lot of energy and excitement
11:38 on hopefully a very sunny weekend,
11:40 and hopefully another three points.
11:42 - So, guys, that's all for Stefano Pialli's Let's.
11:44 Good luck to our rostroneri
11:46 for the next feature against Genoa.
11:48 Now let's move on with our women's team.
11:50 - Hey, Noah, I'm talking.
11:54 (audience laughing)
11:57 The team started the final flourish with four games,
12:01 and the last one was against Pomigliano.
12:04 The rostroneri continued their good run of positive results,
12:08 but let's relive the best moments on the pitch
12:11 with the highlights of Pomigliano versus AC Milan.
12:14 - Milan's latest match in the Salvation Pool
12:18 takes them to Torre del Greco in the region of Naples,
12:22 the Stadio Amerigo Liguori against Pomigliano,
12:26 and Mr. Kortis' team are aiming to continue their fine form.
12:30 Played out wide into the area.
12:37 It's played across, it's not dealt with,
12:39 and it drops to Kamila.
12:40 Kamila shoots, and agonizingly, Kamila Dubkova hits the post
12:45 so close to opening the scoring.
12:46 In comes the corner, and it's looping.
12:52 Header, and it's into the net.
12:53 It's the opening goal of the match after five minutes,
12:56 and it is Angosha Messias
12:59 with her first of this season,
13:01 making it one nil to the rostroneri.
13:04 Really fine header there,
13:05 and no chance for Gavillet in goal for Pomigliano.
13:09 Fine looping header into the far corner.
13:11 Great run played out to the wing.
13:15 In comes the cross, and it's not played properly,
13:19 and it drops to Ije, and it deflects off a defender.
13:23 The chance is gone, it was so close.
13:25 In comes the cross, and it's cleared,
13:31 but again, not a great clearance.
13:33 And then it's blasted goalwards, but it's off target.
13:36 But it's all Milan.
13:38 The rostroneri are dominating.
13:40 It was Aliyah Gwani there into the second half.
13:46 In comes the corner, that's a power header,
13:48 and it's the second goal for Milan,
13:50 and believe it or not,
13:52 it's the second goal for Gosha.
13:54 The first goals of the season,
13:57 and her first double for Milan.
13:59 Incredible timing, and a powerful header
14:04 by Milan's defender.
14:06 No chance once again for Gavillet,
14:08 and her teammates really pleased for a two nil to Milan.
14:12 Controlled at the second attempt,
14:16 swept in for the cross,
14:19 headed out, but not very far,
14:20 and that's a powerful drive, but it's off target.
14:23 Or rather, it's two direct straight to the keeper
14:26 from Silvia Rubio.
14:28 In comes the cross, and it's a great skill,
14:34 great trickery, and it's a fine finish.
14:36 Szymanowski makes it two-one,
14:39 she halves the deficit for Pomigliano.
14:43 Corner to Milan, headed down.
14:45 Gosha almost on a hat trick there,
14:48 which would have been a remarkable achievement,
14:50 but it's dealt with by the keeper, Gavillet.
14:52 Once again, heading down into the ground,
14:55 but simple for the keeper.
14:57 Two and a half minutes to go.
15:00 Rabot, there's no one closing her down,
15:02 she goes for the shot, and she scores a spectacular goal.
15:06 Credit where it's due,
15:08 you have to say that's a fine finish from Rabot.
15:12 In the 88th minute, they have their equalizer,
15:15 and the celebrations are ecstatic from Pomigliano.
15:19 And Milan, pegged back, there's the final whistle,
15:24 the final score is Pomigliano two, Milan two.
15:27 - So these were the most important moments on the pitch
15:38 for Pomigliano versus AC Milan for our women's team.
15:41 That's all for courtesy,
15:42 now let's move on with our under-19s.
15:45 (upbeat music)
15:48 - Are you all right, Duncan?
15:49 (crowd laughing)
15:52 - A very tough week for our youngest talents
15:55 among the Abatas lads,
15:57 and nothing to do, Sheridan, also against Mons.
16:00 A very tough match.
16:02 - Yes, it was a frustrating match
16:03 because the first half, Milan were,
16:05 they dominated and they actually took the lead.
16:08 And it looked like it was gonna be a good way
16:09 to bounce back from the European disappointment.
16:12 This is a fabulous goal by Mattia Liberale,
16:15 really clever, intricate movement,
16:17 and then he passed it into the far corner.
16:19 And Mr. Abate was very pleased.
16:22 He didn't show it, but he was,
16:23 'cause it's just a really good finish,
16:24 and he made it all on his own.
16:26 And at that point, you know, I was thinking,
16:28 and I believe the fans and Mr. Abate were thinking,
16:30 this could be a victory,
16:31 a good way to shake off the Euro blues.
16:34 But in the second half, coming out of the dressing room,
16:36 Milan were a bit slow to react,
16:39 and Monza not only equalized with a rocket, by the way,
16:43 that would have been difficult for any goalkeeper,
16:45 even Olivier Giroud,
16:47 Monza then scored again to make it 2-1.
16:51 And it became a bit of a hangover from the European events
16:55 because the team looked a bit tired.
16:56 Lots of the star players were with the first team squad.
16:59 There was no Kevin Zedoli, there was no Giancarlo Simic.
17:03 And it was a frustrating one,
17:05 but just have to put it down to experience
17:07 and forgive the players
17:08 because they had that very big European commitment.
17:12 - These are very important fixtures
17:14 for our youngest Rossoneri,
17:16 and the last one against Bologna was a very unlucky match,
17:21 but let's relay what happened on the pitch
17:22 during the 30 Primavera Uno matchday.
17:25 - Milan are catching up on the round 30 fixture
17:29 against Bologna, which they were unable to play
17:31 due to their UEFA Youth League commitments.
17:35 But today it's back to domestic action
17:38 at the Nicolo Galli Stadium.
17:40 And we're underway, Milan have the kickoff.
17:43 It's given away by the Rossoneri.
17:48 Diop plays it forward, worked out wide.
17:51 The cross is a good one, and it's a player on his own,
17:54 and he's found the net for Bologna.
17:56 Tommaso Ebboni makes it 1-0 to the Rosso Blue
18:01 after 14 minutes.
18:02 A very good finish, Milan on the attack.
18:07 Giancarlo Simic powering forward, lays it off.
18:10 Bartesaghi shoots, and it's palmed away by Bagnolini,
18:15 but it was a decent hit from Davide Bartesaghi.
18:21 Given away by Milan in midfield.
18:24 Bologna coming forward, played out wide.
18:26 In comes the cross, there are several Bologna players
18:29 lining up on their own, and one of them converts it
18:32 to make it 2-0 to the home side.
18:35 And it's Tommaso Ebboni with his second goal of this game,
18:40 putting Milan to the sword.
18:43 Diego Sia, good strength, and Diego Sia
18:47 dancing around his markers, clever feet.
18:49 Diego still going, will he go for the shot?
18:52 He does, and it's just over.
18:54 And indeed, Diego and his teammates are claiming
18:56 it was a save from the keeper.
18:57 Played out wide to Bartesaghi, decent cross from Bartesaghi.
19:03 It's a slightly lucky clearance,
19:05 and then it's blasted goalwards by Camarda,
19:07 and it comes back off the post.
19:09 What terrible luck for Francesco Camarda,
19:13 smashing it against the woodwork.
19:15 Look at the technique and the shape.
19:18 Brilliant strike, but just bouncing back off the post
19:21 into the second half.
19:23 Milan win it back, in comes the cross,
19:26 headed away, gathered up, but Adam Bakunia
19:29 picks it up on the other side.
19:31 Takes a touch before crossing it in,
19:33 and it flashes across the goal.
19:35 It's not cleared yet, but now it is.
19:37 Great ball from Pipo Scotti, and the defenders missed it,
19:43 and Bonomi's in, and Bonomi halves the deficit
19:46 after 75 minutes.
19:49 Alessandro Bonomi scores his fifth goal of the season
19:53 to make things interesting.
19:56 Really good finish by Alessandro Bonomi.
20:00 And the referee, Macarini, blows the final whistle.
20:04 The final score is Bologna 2, Milan 1.
20:07 - So with the focus on our Under-19s,
20:16 we come to the end of this weekly episode.
20:19 Let me say thank you to my two guests.
20:21 Thanks to Giorno Del Monte.
20:22 - A pleasure as always, Licia.
20:23 Great to see you, Sheridan.
20:25 - And thanks also to Sheridan Bird.
20:26 - Thank you to you too.
20:27 Had a good one this week, enjoyed it.
20:29 - See you next week, guys, in the restaurant area.
20:31 That's all for today.
20:32 Thanks for following us.
20:33 I'll see you again, as always, on AC Milan Talk.
20:35 Ciao.
20:36 (upbeat music)
20:39 (upbeat music)
20:42 (upbeat music)
20:44 (upbeat music)
20:47 (upbeat music)
20:49 (crowd cheering)
20:52 (audience laughing)
20:55 (whooshing)