The Under-19s won't be competing in the UEFA Youth League Final Four after being knocked out by Milan on penalties in their quarter-final clash. Gonzalo opened the scoring in the first half as Arbeloa's boys began the brighter of the two sides and had chances to extend their lead. The Italians equalised after the break though and went on to book their ticket to Nyon by coming out on top in the shootout.
Our team took to the pitch with concentration levels high and could have gone ahead inside 10 minutes. Some fine play by Palacios saw him evade the attentions of two defenders in the box but his effort came crashing back off the post. Shortly afterwards, Raveyre stopped a Gonzalo shot after he'd latched onto a fine Pol Durán cross. Our team came close to the opener on a series of occasions before their hard work finally paid dividends on 33 minutes. Magni brought down Fortea as the madridista raced to the by-line and the referee pointed to the spot. Gonzalo stepped up to whip the penalty into the corner and put Real Madrid into the lead.
They could have had a second goal before half-time, but De Llanos lost out to Raveyre when through one-on-one. In the second half, Sia brought the game level with 51 minutes on the clock. From that point on, the game was an open affair, with Pol Fortuny trying his luck from a free-kick that whistled just over the bar, while Camarda tested Quetglas with a strong effort up the other end. Ultimately, the game ended all square and the hosts won the penalty shootout 4-3.
LINE-UPS
1(4)-Milan: Raveyre, Bakoune, Simić, Nsiala, Stalmach, Camarda (Simmelhack, 89’), Sia (Malaspina, 82’), Scotti, Zeroli, Eletu (Sala, 69’) and Magni (Bartesaghi, 69’).
1(3)-Under-19s: Ferran Quetglas, Cristian, Youssef, Jacobo (Manu Serrano, 58’), Gonzalo, Hugo de Llanos (Yáñez, 67’), Palacios, Fortea, Pol Durán (Antonio, 90’), Mesonero (Pol Fortuny, 58’) and Joan Martínez.
Goals:
0-1 (min 33): Gonzalo.
1-1 (min 51): Sia.
Penalties:
0-1: Cristian David, goal.
1-1: Bartesaghi, goal.
1-1: Daniel Yañez, Raveyre saves.
2-1: Simić, goal.
2-2: Palacios, goal.
3-2: Simmelhack, goal.
3-2: Pol Fortuny, miss.
3-2: Scotti, Quetglas saves.
3-3: Gonzalo, goal.
4-3: Zeroli, goal.