ROSSONERE TURNAROUND: NINTH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY

A great response to an unexpected shock gave Maurizio Ganz’s AC Milan their ninth consecutive victory in Serie A, as they remain hot on Juventus's heels at the top of the table. The Rossonere dominated San Marino Academy with a 4-1 win at Vismara, where the hosts took the lead after successfully converting a penalty. This lead, however, was short-lived, with the surprise goal spurring AC Milan into action, who within ten minutes managed to turn the tide with goals from Spinelli and Dowie. The English attacker then made it two, finishing off the opposition with a goal in the 78th minute, followed shortly after by a goal from Tamborini. It was an important win, especially given their response to the initial difficulty, which came after having dominated for 50 minutes but without capitalising on their superior possession. It was the best way to start the long break in Serie A games, which will start again with an away fixture against Pink Bari, and even better considering the crucial upcoming match for the Rossonere: the second leg (1-1 on aggregate) of the Coppa Italia quarter-finals against Sassuolo, on Saturday at 14:30 CET at Vismara.

MATCH REPORT
Maurizio Ganz named two new faces with respect to the side that drew to Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia: Spinelli and Jane started. On a sodden pitch after the rains that have soaked Milan, the Rossonere tried to dictate the game right from the first whistle, creating chances for Dowie. AC Milan's play was directed by Vero Boquete, who first fed Giacinit and then Spinelli, but they couldn't find any end product. The best chance of the first half fell to Bergamaschi, who, in the 43rd minute, fired just wide.

The opening goal came just five minutes into the second half; Vitale brought Menin down in the box and Corazzi converted the penalty to give San Marino the lead. Though the Rossoneri reacted immediately. In the 52nd minute, Vero hit the bar from closer range and, three minutes later, Spinelli equalised with a great effort from distance. The shock of going a goal down was behind them and the Rossoneri got their noses in front on the hour mark. Tucceri Cimini, who had just come on, put in a splendid cross for Dowie to head home, scoring her seventh goal of the season. The English striker got goal number 8 of the season after a great ball from Vero: calm finish, game over. AC Milan added a fourth in injury time through Sara Tamborini, who beat Ciccioli with a lethal effort from outside the penalty area.

THOUGHTS
"We needed to kill the game off in the first half but missed a lot of chances," said Coach Maurizio Ganz after the game, "we conceded at the start of the second half but reacted really well. Congrats to the girls because it wasn't easy on this pitch today. The girls gave a great response and were fantastic, as always."

MATCH FACTS

MILAN 4-1 SAN MARINO ACADEMY

AC MILAN (3-5-2): Korenčiová; Vitale (60' Tucceri Cimini), Agard, Spinelli; Bergamaschi, Simic (60' Mauri), Vero (85' Tamborini), Jane (82' Rask), Rizza (60' Grimshaw); Dowie, Giacinti. Subs.: Piazza, Fusetti, Čonč, Coda. Coach: Ganz.

SAN MARINO ACADEMY (4-2-3-1): Ciccioli; Bavenick, Konisawa, Venturini, Piazza; Corazzi (58' Rigaglia), Brambilla (81' Musolino); Menin, Chandarana, Muya (81' De Sanctis); Vecchione (58' Landa). Subs.: Salvi, Montalti, Micciarelli, Costantini, Cecchini. Coach.: Paganelli.

Referee: Ancora from Rome.
Goals: 51' pen. Corazzi (S), 56' Spinelli (M), 60' and 78' st Dowie (M), 92' Tamborini (M).
Bookings: 19' Muya, 44' st Musolino.

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