VERO‑DOWIE: ROSSONERE ADVANCE TO THE COPPA ITALIA FINAL
Women
The Rossonere did it: Winning another Derby, beating Inter 4-2 in the return leg of the semi-final, they overturned the 1-2 deficit from the first leg to advance to a historic first Women's Coppa Italia Final. A really great game was played at Vismara, it was an exciting and heated affair. A game that seemed all set thanks to an extraordinary start and a brace from Vero, then hung in the balance with Marinelli's goal, before tipping in favour of the Rossonere again in the second half after a brace from Dowie. A late scare came from a Møller goal, but it was not enough for Inter. A rollercoaster of emotions that was deservedly won in the end by AC Milan, who were clearly the best team on the pitch in terms of strength, gameplay, and chance creation.
A complete performance, full of quality and free of errors for large stretches. The team prepared as best as they could for this important match, giving everything to earn the chance to compete for the trophy. Now, in the final on May 30, the Diavolo will take on the winner of Juventus v Roma (scheduled for Sunday 25 April, 1-2 in the first leg). The Giallorossi will be the team’s next opponents in Serie A, on Saturday 1 May at 15.00 CEST in the capital, to try to move closer to securing Champions League qualification. The season goes on, but now we pause to give a round of applause to our girls!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v INTER
MATCH REPORT
It was a deadly start from the Rossonere, with Hasegawa proving dangerous at the start after Møller's first shot was blocked by Fusetti. In the 8th minute, Vero found the opener: a solo goal of pure technique and class to take the opponents by surprise, as she ran unchecked into the middle of the box, then finished it with her right foot into the corner of the net. AC Milan were truly unleashed, and Boquete’s brace came in the 14th minute: Set through on goal from a beautiful flick on by Dowie, the Spaniard rounded Gilardi and slotted the ball with her left foot into the empty net. The Rossonere continued to attack unabated: Tucceri Cimini tried her luck in 20th minute, Giacinti in the 24th minute, and Vero in the 28th. Giacinti grew into the game; On 33 minutes a rebound almost fell her way, only for Brustia to come to Inter’s rescue and clear the ball. She managed to score in the 36th minute only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Only Marinelli, on one occasion, showed up in attack for the Nerazzurre. Half-time.
The second half began with the match following the same pattern as the final minutes of the first half, the Diavolo in charge, managing the game at a slower pace, but Inter suddenly reopened the game in the 61st minute: Marinelli's flick surprised Agard and beat Korenčiová from a tight angle. Qualification looked in trouble as the teams were tied on aggregate. The tempo had changed, the Rossoneri definitely felt the blow, but they reacted quickly, and in a big way. Dowie took control, scoring a brace by finishing off some excellent team moves to pave the way for the team once again: in the 79th minute she bundled Tucceri Cimini's cross over the line, and in the 86th minute she headed home Bergamaschi's cross. It seemed all over, with Giacinti also wasting another great opportunity in front of Gilardi, but at the beginning of the added time, Møller cut into the lead with a precise left-footed finish. The final whistle was blown, allowing the celebrations to begin: 4-2 was the final score and the Coppa Italia final awaits.
MATCH FACTS
AC MILAN 4-2 INTER
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Korenčiová; Vitale, Agard, Fusetti; Bergamaschi, Jane, Vero, Hasegawa, Tucceri Cimini; Giacinti, Dowie. A disp.: Piazza; Rizza, Spinelli; Kuliš, Mauri, Morleo, Rask; Salvatori Rinaldi, Tamborini. Coach.: Ganz.
INTER (4-3-3): Gilardi; Brustia (46' Auvinen), Debever (81' Vergani), Alborghetti, Bartonova; Catelli, Simonetti, Rincón; Møller, Mauro (58' Tarenzi), Marinelli. Subs.: Aprile, Marchitelli; Passeri; Gallazzi; Baresi, Pavan. Coach.: Sorbi.
Referee: Ferrieri Caputi, from Livorno.
Goalscorers: 8', 14' Vero (M), 61' Marinelli (I), 79', 86' Dowie (M), 91' Møller (I).
Bookings: 23' Brustia (I), 25' Rincón (I), 65' Bergamaschi (M), 82' Vergani (I), 83' Marinelli (I), 83' Giacinti (M).
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