HEAVY DEFEAT IN WOMENSCUP OPENER FOR AC MILAN
Women
It was always going to be a difficult test. PSG are a very strong and physical side who are ahead of the Rossonere in terms of fitness, with their league campaign set to begin next week. And so it proved to be: in the opening match of the WomensCup 2019 at the Raiffeisen Arena in Hägendorf, the French side demonstrated higher levels of quality out on the pitch. The result was never in question as PSG controlled the game and managed to score six goals. However, AC Milan can take some comfort at having shown determination and a desire to never give up in a match which saw them come up against an excellent side who have reached the final of the Champions League on more than one occasion. Furthermore, Coach Ganz, who gave a runout to all the players at his disposal over the course of the match, would have learned some important things as the team continue to work hard ahead of the new season. It's not over yet for the Rossonere, who will face the loser of Zurich v Juve in the third-place playoff at 11:00 CEST on Sunday 18 August.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
After an intense opening few minutes where the only real chance was a PSG effort which flew just past the post, the French side took the lead with 15 minutes on the clock: Hovland unluckily diverted the ball into her own net after a cross from the right. In the 25th minute, Giacinti almost made the most out of a poor backpass by PSG as she raced towards goal and took aim, but her finish ended up going just wide. After 28 minutes, the Rossonere found themselves 2-0 down: Morroni found an unmarked Nadim in the six-yard box, and the latter subsequently beat Korenciova in the AC Milan goal. Ten minutes later, Maria produced a great diving save to keep out Diani's strike. In the 44th minute, however, Diani did get on the scoresheet through a low shot from the edge of the box. After the restart, it was much the same story. After 57 minutes, Diani grabbed her second of the game from close range after some great individual play. The Rossonere didn't give up even though they were struggling to create anything in attack. This was in stark contrast to the French outfit, who saw an effort fly over the bar. PSG scored a further two goals late on, with Baltimore (a left-footed shot across goal) and Zamanian (a deflected free kick) adding gloss to the scoreline.
MATCH SUMMARY
AC MILAN 0-6 PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Korenciova (46' Piazza) (80' Zanzi); Rizza, Hovland, Mendes (64' Vitale), Tucceri Cimini (77' Coda); Heroum, Fusetti (83' Bellucci), Čonč (85' Manieri); Zigic (68' Rinaldi), Giacinti (83' Tamborini), Bergamaschi. Coach: Ganz.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (4-3-3): Kiedrzynek; Paredes (64' Cook), Dudek (77' Lawrence), Morroni, Glas; Formiga (64' Diallo), Geyoro (85' Khelifi), Dabritz (77' Zamanian); Diani (64' Huitema), Nadim (46' Saevik), Katoto (85' Baltimore). Subs: Endler. Coach: Echouafni.
Referee: Schmölzer.
Goals: 15' Hovland og (P), 28' Nadim (P), 44' and 57' Diani (P), 86' Baltimore (P), 87' Zamanian (P).
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