A FLYING START FOR THE ROSSONERE

The best start possible: AC Milan Women’s fourth Serie A campaign began with a resounding victory over Hellas Verona. Indeed, Coach Ganz’s girls ran out 4-0 winners at Vismara. It’s a result which reflects the Rossonere’s dominance right from the get-go. The game was finished as a contest after 45 minutes: a brace from Giacinti, who has now reached the 50-goal mark with AC Milan in the league, and a goal from Bergamaschi meant that AC Milan led 3-0 at half-time. Then, after the restart, Vero Boquete found the net for the first time in the Italian top flight.

Everyone deserves a round of applause, not just the three goalscorers. Notable were the performances produced by three new faces in the Rossonere line-up: Codina played a key role in defence, Adami was a tireless engine in midfield, and Thomas ensured that the team were a real threat down the right. It’s been a good day for AC Milan, who couldn’t have wished for a better start. The Rossonere will next be in action on Saturday, when they’ll travel to face Sampdoria, a team who are experiencing their first season in the Women’s Serie A.

THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v HELLAS VERONA

MATCH REPORT
For today’s league opener, Coach Ganz sent out the same eleven starters who took to the pitch against Hoffenheim. The Rossonere immediately went on the front foot, with Jane producing two dangerous shots in the opening quarter of an hour. In the 18th minute, Vero picked out Thrige with a great assist, but the Dane struck narrowly off target. It seemed like it would be just a matter of time before AC Milan scored, and, indeed, this is exactly what happened in the 23rd minute, when Giacinti latched onto Vero’s ball and fired into the net. Just moments later, Bergamaschi doubled the Rossonere’s advantage, with her cross-shot deceiving the visiting goalkeeper after 24 minutes. Ganz’s girls carried on attacking and bagged a third in the 45th minute, when Giacinti won a penalty and stepped up to convert from twelve yards out.

The second half was played at a lower tempo, although AC Milan, who were solid at the back throughout, remained in control of proceedings and continued to try to create chances. The Rossonere scored a fourth in the 53rd minute, when, on the counter, Vero coolly won the one-on-one battle with Gritti. Verona went looking for a consolation and came close through Cedeno after 73 minutes. However, the closing stages belonged to the Rossonere, who almost netted a fifth through substitute Longo and then Giacinti, the latter of whom just missed out on a hat-trick.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 4-0 HELLAS VERONA

AC MILAN (3-4-2-1): Giuliani; Fusetti, Agard, Codina (70' Árnadóttir); Thrige (57' Rizza), Jane, Adami (60' Grimshaw), Bergamaschi (57' Tucceri Cimini); Thomas (70' Longo), Vero; Giacinti. Subs.: Korenčiová; Morleo; Cortesi, Miotto. Coach: Ganz.

HELLAS VERONA (4-3-3): Gritti; Ledri (72' Oliva), Ambrosi, De Sanctis, Jelenčić; Errico, Dahlberg (59' Lotti), Catelli (72' Mancuso); Nilsson, Pasini (59' Rognoni), Anghileri (59' Cedeno). Subs.: Casarasa, Marchiori, Rizzioli, Quazzico. Coach: Pachera.

Referee: Adolfo Baratta from Rossano.
Goals: 23' and 45' pen. Giacinti (M), 24' Bergamaschi (M), 53' Vero (M).
Bookings: 82' De Sanctis (V).

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