The Rossoneri were held in matchday 8 of the Women's Serie A Championship Round. At the PUMA House of Football, goals from Soffia and Piemonte - one in each half - put the Rossoneri two-nil up against the reigning Italian champions, who were able to find an equaliser at the end of the match. AC Milan certainly deserved to win, for their performance, solid and full of attacking intent, in front of their own support. A sparkling first half, which ended with one goal to the good, was followed by an equally lively second half, during which the Rossoneri first doubled the lead and then saw the Giallorossi pull off a comeback to earn a point.
Angelica Soffia was the star of the show throughout the ninety minutes of the game: she was denied at the start only by the woodwork and then scored a goal and claimed an assist in a performance full of creativity and skill. Also making the difference were the options, limited for AC Milan and plentiful for the Giallorossi, from the bench. Giuliani replacing the injured Babb was the only change in the starting 11 compared to the last outing, while the numerous absences, particularly in defence, limited the options of the Rossonere, who finished the match with manmy tired legs. The three points did not arrive, but there is still a two point lead over Inter and Fiorentina. After a week's break, the Nerazzurre will be the next opponents of Mister Ganz's team, with the derby that will round off the season. Forza ragazze!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v ROMA
MATCH REPORT
The match was lively and the Rossoneri were at it from the start: in the 2nd minute Vigilucci hit a free-kick off target, while two minutes later Soffia got on the end of a cross from Piemonte and hit the post. The Giallorossi responded with a right-footer - sent wide - from Serturini in the 6th minute and missed a double chance that fell to Haug and Losada. The match soon settled down, before the Rossonere took the lead in the 38th minute: Mascarello's through ball surprised the Giallorossi defence, Soffia latched onto it and drilled home past Öhrström with a powerful low shot. 1-0 at the break.
AC Milan got off to a strong start in the second half too: on 49 minutes Soffia turned Mascarello's corner towards goal, Öhrström parried behind for a corner. The Rossonere kept pushing and in the 57th minute they found the second: Thrige's cross, Soffia helped it on for Piemonte, who finished on her left foot. Between the 62nd and 66th minutes there was a chance for each side: first for the Giallorossi with Haug, who grazed the post with her header, then for the Rossoneri on a counter-attack, with Piemonte firing over the crossbar with her left-footed shot after Grimshaw's pass. In the 67th minute, the visitors got themselves back in it through Cinotti’s unstoppable finish. AC Milan held firm, but in the dying minutes Giacinti earned a penalty kick: Andressa made no mistake from the spot. It ended 2-2.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“Conceding a goal at the end of the game hurts, but we put in a great performance, especially in the first half," Coach Ganz's comments at the end. "I am proud of the performance, we created many chances and we must continue like this. The players who came off the bench made the difference for Roma, we gritted our teeth and I am satisfied. We’ve got the derby next, it will be an important match after the break and we hope to have a few players back for it."
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-2 ROMA
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bergamaschi, Fusetti, Vigilucci, Thrige; Grimshaw, Mascarello (82' Adami), Dubcová K.; Soffia (86' Bahlouli), Piemonte, Dompig (64' Thomas). Subs: Beka, Fedele; Carage; Dubcová M., Renzotti, Sevenius. Coach: Ganz.
ROMA (4-2-3-1): Öhrström; Minami, Kollmats, Landström (79' Haavi), Di Guglielmo; Cinotti (69' Andressa), Ciccotti (69' Giugliano); Glionna (69' Selerud), Haug (69' Giacinti), Losada; Serturini. Subs: Ceasar; Bartoli, Linari, Wenninger. Coach: Spugna.
Referee: Iannello from Messina.
Goals: 38' Soffia (M), 57' Piemonte (M), 67' Cinotti (R), 93' pen. Andressa (R).
Booked: 35' Cinotti (R), 68' Thomas (M), 82' Bergamaschi (M), 95' Ganz (M).
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