AC MILAN TOO STRONG FOR SAN MARINO

After their victory in their season opener against Florentia, Maurizio Ganz's AC Milan Women side continued the new season by securing all three points in the Serie A Femminile, with a resounding victory away at San Marino. 5-0 was the final score at the Stadio di Acquaviva, with braces from Grimshaw and Dowie and a goal from Agard. There were plenty of positives to take from the match for our Coach, with impressive individual performances and a great showing from the entire team. The defence looked secure all match, always looking solid and positive in possession. The midfield also held firm, setting the tempo of the match and continuously productive in attack. Likewise, the Rossonere's attack looked much improved, with the chemistry between Dowie and Giacinti developing nicely. But there was plenty more for Coach Ganz to smile about, with excellent individual showings from Christy Grimshaw and Natasha Dowie. The two new Rossonere signings were at the centre of the action for the entire match, providing substance and quality to the Rossonere attack and always looking threatening in the San Marino penalty area. Now what the Rossonere are looking for is consistency, and they'll be looking to continue their strong start in their next clash, with Bari scheduled to pay them a visit at the Vismara on Saturday 5 September at 17:45 CEST.

MATCH REPORT
The Rossonere were quick out of the blocks, with their first real chance coming in the 8th minute, when a rocket of a free-kick from Tucceri Cimini flew just past the post to the right of San Marino keeper Ciccioli. The chance was merely the prelude to the Rossonere opener, which came in the 12th minute. Agard was the one to break the deadlock, doing so with a well-struck shot from 20 yards. The goal did little to change the slow pace of the match, with Coach Ganz's team looking to double their lead, and San Marino looking to find an equaliser. In the 21st minute Tucceri Cimini came close to sealing a second for the Rossonere with a cross-shot, but ultimately, Ciccioli wasn't fooled. And it wasn't long before the Rossonere had another big chance: Bergamaschi whipped in a cross from the right for Giacinti, but her headed effort rattled the crossbar. Dowie was there for the rebound, but she was denied by a superb save from Ciccioli. It wasn't until the 30th minute that the Rossonere found the elusive second. Fusetti provided a well-placed assist for Grimshaw, who did well to catch the home defence off guard before scoring her first goal for AC Milan Women. But the Scottish forward wasn't done there, latching onto a cross from Bergamaschi to make it 3-0 just before half-time. Early in the second half, the Rossonere picked up where they had left off, and the Rossonere continued to produce plenty of chances. In the 51st minute, Dowie won the ball in the penalty area and fired home past a helpless Ciccioli, making it 4-0. And with that, the Rossonere sealed the result, but that didn't stop San Marino from trying to get on the scoresheet. Despite Ragaglia hitting the crossbar and Muya firing inches wide, they were ultimately unable to get on the scoresheet against a resilient Rossonere defence. Meanwhile, Natasha Dowie had no such trouble in front of goal, adding a fifth to the Rossonere's already-impressive tally with her second of the match. The final chance of the game fell to the hosts, but once more, they were unable to find a way past Korenčiova.

MATCH DETAILS

SAN MARINO 0-5 AC MILAN WOMEN 

SAN MARINO (4-5-1): Ciccioli; Montalti (40' De Sanctis), Venturini, Nozzi, Piazza; Rigaglia (40' Di Luzio), Chandarana (10' Kunisawa), Brambilla, Muya, Labate (10' Menin); Barbieri (21' Vecchione). Subs. Salvi, Micciarelli, Costantini, Cacchini. Coach: Conte.

MILAN (4-3-1-2): Korenčiova; Bergamaschi, Agard (38' Spinelli), Fusetti (38' Vitale), Tucceri Cimini; Čonč, Rask (12' Kuliš), Grimshaw (9' Rizza); Tamborini (1' Mauri); Giacinti, Dowie. Subs.: Piazza, Morleo, Nano, Jane. Coach: Ganz.

Referee: Mario Davide Arace
Goals: 12' Agard (ACM), 30' Grimshaw (ACM), 45' Grimshaw (ACM), 6'st Dowie (ACM), 37'st Dowie (ACM).
Bookings: 36' Nozzi (SM), 17'st Čonč (ACM).

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