A TOTAL COMEBACK FOR AC MILAN
Women
The Rossonere needed a victory to keep the hope of the poule scudetto alive, and they delivered. On the Sassuolo pitch, the hosts took a double lead in the first half, but AC Milan's reaction was immediate and opened the door to a comeback, which was completed in the second half.
AC Milan overcame the obstacle energetically thanks to a victory that displayed character, grit and great motivation. Three different scorers - Vigilucci, Ijeh and Stokić - sealed the 2-3 victory against a dangerous and courageous Sassuolo. Three important points for the Rossoneri, who remain in the race for fifth place in the standings, just one match before the end of the regular season.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
On Matchday 17 of the women's Serie A, AC Milan came into the match with four changes in the starting line-up, fielding Mesjasz, Vigilucci, Rubio Ávila and Marinelli from the very start. The first half was a rollercoaster: the start of the match was encouraging for the Rossonere, but after just 16 minutes, Clelland charged the atmosphere up with a lob that slotted in behind Giuliani. Just six minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead, with Philtjens’ left-footer off a rebound in the penalty area. AC Milan's reaction was not long in coming, however, and in the 24th minute Arrigoni put in a venomous cross that was repelled on the line by Durand: Vigilucci's header sealed her first goal in this Serie A season and brought the Rossonere back into the contest.
The second half was a Rossonere tour de force, keeping ball possession and showing a team that is alert and full of fighting sipirt. In the 67th minute, Vigilucci's right-footer in the box met De Rita's arm, and a penalty was awarded: from the spot, Ijeh found her sixth goal of the season, and brought the match back to a draw. Two minutes later, Stokić came on again, first making a mark with a right-footer that ended just wide, but on the next opportunity, she scored her first Serie A goal, completing AC Milan's 2-3 comeback. A providential save by the brilliant Laura Giuliani in the final minute sealed the victory for the Rossonere.
POST MATCH STATEMENTS
Coach Suzanne Bakker commented on the success against Sassuolo: "It was a team performance: we always fight until the final whistle and we never give up. We deserved the victory." Also a great game for Valery Vigilucci, who found the net after returning from injury: "I am happy, especially because my teammates believed in me. This gave me the extra peace of mind that led me to score."
MATCH DETAILS
SASSUOLO 2-3 AC MILAN
SASSUOLO (3-4-1-2): Durand; Orsi (79' Perselli), Caiazzo, Pleidrup; Brustia, De Rita (78' Monterubbiano), Mella (68' Hagemann), Philtjens; Missipo; Sabatino (78' Girotto), Clelland (60' Chmielinski). Subs: Lonni, Mihelic, Fusini, Dhont, Di Nallo, Fisher, Gallazzi. Coach: Rossi.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Koivisto, Mesjasz, Piga (61' Sorelli), Vigilucci; Cernoia (61' Renzotti), Rubio Ávila, Arrigoni; Marinelli (61' Mascarello), Ijeh (90'+2 Dompig), Stokić (90'+3 Laurent). Subs: Cesarini, Fedele, Tornaghi. Coach: Bakker.
Referee: Pasculli from Como.
Goals: 16' Clelland (S), 22' Philtjens (S), 24' Vigilucci (M), 67' pen. Ijeh (M), 71' Stokić (M).
Booked: 81' Arrigoni (M).
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