Youth League: Milan Edge Past Braga to Reach Quarter-Finals

Back-to-Back Wins Seal Progression

AC Milan's Under-19 team have secured a place in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Braga on Wednesday.

The Rossoneri, who won the competition in 2016, needed to avoid defeat in their final Group H match to join Chelsea in the last eight.

Milan took the lead in the 20th minute through Marko Lazetic, but Braga equalized just before half-time courtesy of a penalty from Rodrigo Gomes.

The match looked set to end in a draw, which would have seen Braga progress at Milan's expense.

However, with just minutes remaining, substitute Lorenzo Colombo popped up with a dramatic winner for the visitors.

Milan held on to secure a narrow victory, which sees them finish top of Group H with 10 points, two ahead of Braga.

The victory is a testament to the strength of Milan's youth system, which has produced a number of talented players in recent years.

The likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria, and Patrick Cutrone have all graduated from the academy to become first-team regulars.

The current crop of youngsters will be hoping to follow in their footsteps and make a similar impact at the highest level.

Braga will be disappointed to have missed out on a place in the quarter-finals, but they can take solace from a strong group stage campaign.

The Portuguese side finished second in Group H with eight points, ahead of Dinamo Zagreb and Ludogorets.

They will now turn their attention to domestic matters, where they are currently third in the Primeira Liga.

The draw for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League will take place on Friday, February 25.

Milan will be hoping to avoid the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich, who are all among the favorites to win the competition.

The quarter-finals will be played on March 8 and 9, with the semi-finals taking place on April 12 and 13.

The final will be held on April 28 at the Stade de Colovray in Nyon, Switzerland.