COPPA ITALIA WOMEN, DRAW IN QUARTER-FINAL FIRST LEG

Qualification for the semi-finals of the 2025/26 Women's Coppa Italia remains finely poised after AC Milan and Fiorentina played out a 1-1 draw in tonight's quarter-final first leg in Solbiate Arno. It was a hard-fought contest in which Fiorentina were rewarded for their lively start, before the Rossonere responded with an improved showing. Woldvik's opener (10') was cancelled out by Arrigoni's equaliser (73') for a result that leaves everything still to play for. After a slow start that saw them come under pressure, Coach Bakker's side grew into the match and showed real determination in the second half.

Arrigoni was decisive, Piga alert, Grimshaw played with heart, Kyvåg never stopped running, and the substitutes also made an impact. It's the second draw in a row after the team's return to league action at the weekend, but the performance was a marked improvement on the lacklustre display in Parma. The Coppa Italia return leg is scheduled for next Thursday at 18:00 CET at Viola Park - a match to prepare for and approach with full belief - while on Sunday 25 January at 12:30 CET the Rossonere will host Ternana on matchday 11 of the Women's Serie A.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v FIORENTINA

MATCH REPORT
Fiorentina started brightly and took the lead in the tenth minute, with Catena setting up Woldvik to fire a powerful and precise finish into the net. The visitors continued to dominate, with Soffia and Piga managing to clear a dangerous cross from Janogy in the 22nd minute. AC Milan tried to respond: Kyvåg delivered a cross for Grimshaw, but Færge made an important intervention (26'). Two minutes later, Kyvåg laid the ball off to Arrigoni, who failed to make the right connection. Fiorentina went back on the attack, with Piga making a crucial intervention to thwart Omarsdottir (36') and Koivisto foiling Janogy three minutes later. Kyvåg continued to drive AC Milan forward, setting up Grimshaw once more in the 44th minute, but the latter's attempt lacked accuracy.

The second half began with a few changes, and AC Milan came out more aggressive and attacking. A 57th-minute attempt from van Dooren was off target, while Stokić then set up Kyvåg, who couldn't quite connect for a shot (58'). In the 64th minute, Johansen broke forward, but her finish lacked power. The game wasn't overflowing with clear-cut chances, but AC Milan kept going and scored a 73rd-minute equaliser through Arrigoni, who fired home a right-footed shot that clipped the post on its way in. Bredgaard had her moments for the visitors, testing our goalkeeper with a left-footed shot (79') and coming close from a free-kick two minutes later. Kyvåg had another opportunity in the 83rd minute, but her finish lacked precision. The remainder of the match passed without major drama, and it ended AC Milan 1-1 Fiorentina.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-1 FIORENTINA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Koivisto, De Sanders, Piga, Soffia; Arrigoni, Mascarello (54' Van Dooren), Grimshaw; Renzotti (46' Stokić), Park (71' Cernoia), Kyvåg. Subs: Estévez, Tornaghi; Donolato, Keijzer; Cesarini; Appiah. Coach: Bakker.

FIORENTINA (4-3-3): Fiskerstrand; Woldvik, Færge (46' Van der Zanden), Filangeri, Johansen; Catena (61' Severini), Curmark, Cherubini (80' Lombardi); Bredgaard, Omarsdottir (61' Wijnants), Janogy (61' Tryggvadóttir). Subs: Bettineschi, Cetinja; Orsi; Bonfantini, Tomassoni. Coach: Piñones-Arce.

Referee: Pizzi from Bergamo.
Goals: 10' Woldvik (F), 73' Arrigoni (M).
Booked: 53' Mascarello (M).

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