UYL AC Milan 3 Chelsea 1 : Anglo-Nigerian striker comes close with long-range strike

Two talented teenagers of Nigerian descent were named in the matchday squads as AC Milan claimed a hard-fought 3-1 win over Chelsea on matchday four of the UEFA Youth League. 

Intelligent Chelsea striker Tudor Mendel-Idowu started and was in action for 68 minutes, while Lagos-born defensive midfielder Victor Eletu was a non-playing substitute for the Rossoneri.

In a quiet opening forty five minutes, the match lit up in the closing stages as Mendel-Idowu came close to breaking the deadlock with a long-range strike that went narrowly wide. 

Gabriele Alesi opened the scoring in the 63rd minute as he was quick tp pounce on the rebound and slotted home after Ted Curd saved a shot from El Hilali.

Mendel-Idowu was replaced by Zain Silcott-Duberry as the visitors searched for an equaliser. 

It looked like the Londoners would snatch at least a point from the contest when Webster tucked away a penalty after Simic handled the ball in the area with six minutes remaining. 

However, Milan didn't give up and restored their one-goal lead through Jordan Longhi in the 87th minute before Alesi netted his second of the game in the 90th minute. 

After four matches in Group E of the UEFA Youth League, Chelsea are bottom with two points, six less than AC Milan who lead the way. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com 

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