A 0‑0 FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS: THE ROSSONERE ARE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Women
Historic, beautiful, deserved. Stepping onto the pitch in their new PUMA Home kit, the Rossonere reached a significant milestone as they secured qualification to the Champions League for the first time in their history. The 0-0 draw was decisive against Sassuolo, a direct rival for this goal throughout the season. After the penultimate day, the Rossonere sit on 50 points, boasting a three-point advantage and a greater head-to-head record over the Neroverdi. Coach Ganz's warriors thus lock in second place and can celebrate their reward for an extraordinary season: Always at the top, almost every match a victory.
A second consecutive away draw with a clean sheet for the Diavolo, who put in a mature performance: They created several opportunities, with only one dangerous attack for Sassuolo. Next season there will be a new, great competition to play, a source of pride for the team and the entire Club. But 2020/21 is not over yet: Serie A will come to an end next weekend with AC Milan v Verona, before a special date on May 30 pits AC Milan v Roma in the Final of the Coppa Italia will be staged at the Mapei Stadium. Fantastic, simply fantastic. Excellent job, girls!
GALLERY: EXPLORE THE PHOTOS FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
Among the new entrants to the line-up was Babb in goals, who replaced the suspended Korenčiová, and Grimshaw who started up front in place of Dowie. The Diavolo took to the pitch in their new PUMA Home Kit. With a significant prize up for grabs, the teams started the match cautiously. The first effort (for either side) came when Hasegawa gave away the ball in the 10th minute and Babb did well to deny Santoro. This would be one of the very rare chances for Sassuolo, who did well to keep the match level. AC Milan began to dominate the offensive actions, especially in the 25th minute when Hasegawa was set up by Giacinti and hit the post with a right-footed effort. The attacks continued: On 34 minutes, a diagonal shot by Grimshaw missed by a whisker, on 39 minutes Hasegawa drew a good save from the goalkeeper and then Grimshaw missed the target with a header, and Giacinti came dangerously close again in the 45th minute. Half-Time.
The Rossonere came out even more determined in the second half. Giacinti drew a great save from Lemey in the 53rd minute, before Grimshaw’s inaccurate shot in the 60th minute. In the 63rd minute, Christy again had a sensational chance: after stealing the ball from Lemey, she kicks with a sure shot towards the open goal but Filingeri managed to get back and save the home side. There was a thrill in the 68th minute, as Bugeja's effort shook the post. Minutes passed by fearfully, as the game hung in the balance. Gradually those emotions were extinguished, as the Diavolo ended the game without any changes. Full-Time.
MATCH FACTS
SASSUOLO 0-0 AC MILAN
SASSUOLO (4-3-1-2): Lemey; Lenzini, Filangeri, Orsi (58' Monterubbiano), Philtjens; Santoro (87' Battelani), Mihashi, Tomaselli; Cambiaghi (58' Pondini); Pirone, Bugeja. Subs.: Lauria; Brundin, Pellinghelli; Brignoli, Giurgiu; Ferrato. Coach.: Piovani.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Babb; Vitale, Agard, Fusetti; Bergamaschi, Vero, Jane, Hasegawa, Tucceri Cimini; Giacinti, Grimshaw. Subs.: Piazza; Rizza, Spinelli; Čonč, Mauri, Rask; Dowie, Salvatori Rinaldi, Tamborini. Coach.: Ganz.
Referee: Virgilio.
Bookings: 51' Orsi (S), 78' Babb (M), 85' Bugeja (S).
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