THE ROSSONERE BEATEN 3‑1 BY FIORENTINA AT VISMARA
Women
The Rossonere were unable to get the better of Fiorentina today, losing 3-1 to Fiorentina. Indeed, on a day where they could have all but sealed Champions League qualification, they suffered a surprise defeat. Korenčiová’s sending-off certainly didn’t help matters, with the Rossonere goalkeeper seeing red in the 14th minute after the Viola had taken an early lead. Despite conceding a second goal at the start of the second half, the team responded well and managed to get back into the game through Giacinti. Chances to equalise then followed: only the woodwork denied both Fusetti and Bergamaschi prior to Vigilucci sealing the win for the away side with ten minutes left on the clock. The Rossonere’s advantage over Sassuolo has been cut to three points, and Ganz’s girls will need to produce a big performance against the team directly below them in the table in their next encounter to clinch a second-place finish.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN V FIORENTINA
REPORT
The match didn’t begin well for the Rossonere: after Vero had narrowly missed the target in the second minute, the visitors took the lead six minutes later as Sabatino broke free with a clever back-heel and fired past Korenčiová. The team’s poor start was compounded in the 14th minute, when Korenčiová was sent off for bringing down Baldi at the edge of the box. Alessia Piazza came on to make her first appearance between the sticks in Serie A this season. However, AC Milan reacted vehemently, with Bergamaschi being denied by a last-ditch challenge from Zanoli after 21 minutes. Then, with 31 minutes on the clock, Piazza produced an excellent stop to keep out Quinn’s header. The Rossonere had the final chance of the half in the 45th minute, when Valentina Giacinti opted for a lob after being picked out by Agard. The ball finished over the bar.
Just after the restart, Fiorentina doubled their advantage: Baldi got the better of Vitale and beat Piazza at the near post. AC Milan, however, weren’t about to give up and halved the deficit just after the hour mark: after Salvatori Rinaldi had won a penalty, Giacinti stepped up and converted from twelve yards. A siege on the Fiorentina goal followed, with the Rossonere sending several corners into the area. In the 71st minute, Laura Fusetti let fly with a wonderful left-footed strike from just over 35 yards out, but Schroffenegger pushed the ball onto the bar. The woodwork once again saved the Viola three minutes later, when Bergamaschi hit the post with a shot across goal. Coach Ganz played all of his remaining cards, sending both Hasegawa and Spinelli onto the pitch. Then, just when the Rossonere were enjoying their best spell, Vigilucci found the net from the edge of the box to seal a 3-1 win.
COACH MAURIZIO GANZ’S THOUGHTS
"The day began badly with the sending-off, and the first half was difficult. However, we played really well after the restart and showed incredible desire and determination. We hit the bar and post, while they made it 3-1 with their only effort at goal. We’re disappointed with the result but don’t want to give up. We’ll play for Champions League qualification against Sassuolo. We’re aware of our capabilities and are ready to bounce back immediately and produce a big performance. As always, we’ll prepare well without forgetting the great season we’ve enjoyed in the league."
SUMMARY
AC MILAN 1-3 FIORENTINA
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Korenčiová; Vitale, Agard, Fusetti; Bergamaschi, Vero, Jane (78' Spinelli), Grimshaw (78' Hasegawa), Tucceri Cimini (56' Salvatori Rinaldi); Dowie (15' Piazza), Giacinti. Substitutes: Rizza; Čonč, Mauri, Rask, Tamborini. Coach: Ganz.
FIORENTINA (4-3-3): Schroffenegger; Thøgersen, Quinn, Tortelli, Zanoli (70' Adami); Vigilucci, Breitner, Neto; Monnecchi (75' Clelland), Sabatino, Baldi (61' Middag). Substitutes: Öhrström; Cordia, Forcinelli, Jensen, Lorieri, Piemonte. Coach: Cincotta.
Referee: Grasso di Ariano Irpino.
Goals: 8' Sabatino (F), 49' Baldi (F), 61' pen. Giacinti (M), 81' Vigilucci (F).
Bookings: 60' Breitner (F), 70' Neto (F)
Red card: 14' Korenčiová (M).
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