Fiorentina 4-2 Milan Primavera: Croci Hat-Trick Sinks Rossoneri as Comeback Attempts Fail in Another Defeat

FolioPitch.com – 24 October 2026 | Milan Primavera‘s recent resurgence came to an abrupt halt on Saturday as Fiorentina 4-2 Milan Primavera Comeback attemps fail in another defeat at Viola Park, with Federico Croci‘s hat-trick proving decisive in a thrilling encounter. The Rossoneri, who had ended a three-match losing streak with a crucial win over Cagliari the previous week, were unable to build on that momentum against an in-form La Viola side, slipping to 10th in the standings as their hosts leapfrogged them into eighth.

Giovanni Renna‘s young charges travelled to Florence with renewed confidence after their victory against Cagliari, a match in which a red card aided their cause but where they were arguably the better side regardless. However, that confidence proved insufficient against a Fiorentina team brimming with attacking intent, and the visitors were ultimately left to reflect on another frustrating afternoon.

First Half Sets the Tone

Those who made the journey to Viola Park were treated to an entertaining spectacle, at least from a neutral perspective. The opening 45 minutes were relatively balanced, but an early goal for the home side courtesy of Federico Croci allowed Fiorentina to adopt a more conservative approach, sitting back and denying Milan clear opportunities. The Rossoneri headed into the interval trailing by a single goal, knowing they needed to find a response after the break.

Instead, things went from bad to worse shortly after the restart. Croci doubled his tally and Fiorentina’s lead, though the goal was not without controversy. The home side took a quick free-kick while Milan’s players were still awaiting a whistle from the referee, catching the defence off guard. Despite protests, the goal stood, and Renna’s men were left with a mountain to climb.

Anastasio Breathes Life into Milan

To their credit, the visitors refused to lie down. In the 67th minute, Max Anastasio latched onto a fine cross from Vincent Ibrahimovic and fired past the goalkeeper to halve the deficit. It was a moment that briefly suggested a comeback might be on the cards, and the Rossoneri pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

However, any hopes of a revival were extinguished just six minutes later. Croci completed his hat-trick to restore Fiorentina’s two-goal cushion, once again punishing Milan’s defensive frailties. The striker’s afternoon took a turn when he was dismissed for a second yellow card shortly afterwards, but even with a numerical advantage, Milan struggled to make it count.

Late Drama but No Way Back

In the 93rd minute, Mattia Zaramella pulled one back for the Rossoneri, offering a glimmer of hope in stoppage time. But any thoughts of a dramatic leveller were quickly quashed as Fiorentina countered immediately, with Samuele Beldenti finding the net a minute later to seal the victory and put the result beyond doubt. It was a cruel ending to a match that had promised much for Milan after their early second-half goal.

The defeat means Milan Primavera remain mired in inconsistency, and the manner of the loss will concern Renna. While the attacking threat shown by Anastasio and Ibrahimovic offers encouragement, the defensive lapses that allowed Croci to score three times—and the inability to capitalise on Fiorentina’s late red card—will be areas for immediate attention on the training ground.

Standings and Looking Ahead

Fiorentina’s victory lifts them above Milan in the table, a psychological blow for the Rossoneri as they seek to climb the standings. The gap between the sides is now just one place, but the momentum is firmly with La Viola. For Milan, the challenge is to regroup quickly and rediscover the form that saw them overcome Cagliari, before this season’s ambitions begin to slip away.

As the final whistle blew at Viola Park, the overriding sentiment was one of frustration. Fiorentina 4-2 Milan Primavera Comeback attemps fail in another defeat, and the young Rossoneri must now find a way to turn promising spells into consistent results. The talent is there, as evidenced by their attacking moments, but the defensive solidity required to compete at the top of the Primavera table remains a work in progress.

Conclusion

In the end, Fiorentina 4-2 Milan Primavera Comeback attemps fail in another defeat, a result that leaves Renna’s side with plenty to ponder. Croci’s hat-trick and Beldenti’s late clincher ensured the hosts took all three points, while Milan’s late consolation through Zaramella proved too little, too late. The Rossoneri will need to learn from this setback and respond swiftly if they are to avoid another season of mid-table mediocrity. For now, the focus must shift to the next fixture, where the young Milan side will aim to restore pride and get back to winning ways.