Milan Futuro concluded the first half of their Serie C season on December 17, 2024, with disappointment, suffering a 2-1 defeat against Vis Pesaro at the Benelli stadium. After what can only be described as a lackluster first half, the match came alive with three goals after the break. Vis Pesaro got on the board first with Okoro finding the net, but Milan Futuro responded through substitute Longo, only to see Cannavò snatch victory for the home side just before the final whistle.
The opening 45 minutes offered little excitement, as both teams struggled to create clear chances. Milan Futuro came out strong, with Sandri testing Vis Pesaro goalkeeper Vuković just two minutes in, and Fall coming close with another attempt shortly thereafter. Despite these initial forays, the first half turned out to be rather tame, with the Rossoneri holding their ground against the fourth-placed home side.
Things took a turn just past the hour mark when Okoro scored the first goal. His effort followed some controversy, as the Milan Futuro squad protested for what they believed was a foul on goalie Nava during the play. The missed call left them reeling, and almost immediately, they faced another scare when Paganini came close to doubling the lead, but Nava made a superb save.
Despite the adversity, Milan Futuro demonstrated resilience. They pushed forward and managed to find the equalizer through Longo, who converted Sia's header, sending the traveling fans momentarily to their feet.
Yet their celebration was short-lived. Just three minutes from time, Cannavò unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box, sealing the match with Vis Pesaro's second goal. The Rossoneri pressed for one last opportunity, but time was not on their side, and they were forced to accept defeat.
Post-match, coach Daniele Bonera reflected on the performance, stating, "The result from this difficult match doesn't alter our position in the league - we stay third from bottom, and still within reach from 15th spot which would secure our safety from the Playout." He noted the positives, particularly the defensive organization shown by his team, demonstrating little vulnerability against such form. "The team's mental and tactical resilience to overcome the deficit is definitely positive," he acknowledged.
This defeat leaves Milan Futuro positioned precariously close to the relegation zone, sitting third from the bottom. Coach Bonera will be focusing on strategic improvements as they look forward to two challenging home games next week. Their schedule includes the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Caldiero Terme and a league match versus Virtus Entella. These matches are pivotal for the team as they seek to claw their way up the rankings and drift away from the dreaded drop zone.
With the team’s current form, Milan Futuro will undoubtedly need to leverage their spirit and tackle the week with renewed vigor. The positives from the match surely give hope, but they will require consistent performances to translate those glimmers of hope from the pitch to valuable points.
