ROSSONERE BEATEN IN SUPERCUP FINAL: JUVE WIN 2‑1
Women
A final which left a bitter taste in the mouth: AC Milan Women missed out on their first-ever trophy today. In Frosinone, Juventus prevailed, coming from behind to win 2-1 in the Italian Supercup final. Following Grimshaw’s headed finish to open the scoring at the end of the first half, the Bianconere responded first with an unfortunate own goal by Bergamaschi and then, one minute from the end, a header from Girelli. In the middle, there was a game-changing dismissal: a second yellow card given to Codina that left AC Milan outnumbered for 40 minutes.
It’s a result that doesn’t do the Rossonere’s performance justice: Ganz’s girls produced a courageous and flawless first-half performance against one of the best teams in Europe and a massive front-runner in previous seasons in Italy; then, they were shrewd and organised in a second half where, before the decisive goal by Girelli, Juventus’ few attempts had been thwarted by an alert Laura Giuliani between the sticks. The team will look to quickly put this result behind them as they prepare to continue their season on two further fronts: the league and the Coppa Italia. The immediate future will see them take on Hellas Verona away from home on Saturday 15 January; then, a double-header against Sampdoria awaits, first in Serie A and, after that, a first-leg showdown in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia. Come on, girls!
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REPORT
Coach Ganz opted not to change a winning side, sending out the same starting eleven as he did for Wednesday’s semi-final showdown against Roma. It was an even affair early on: while Giuliani denied Caruso in the third minute, the Rossonere threatened Peyraud-Magnin’s goal though Bergamaschi after 13 minutes and then Adami from distance three minutes later. AC Milan continued to grow into the game and could have scored in the 35th minute, when, after a great burst forward, Adami failed to spot Thomas’ run. A minute later, the latter was thwarted by the Bianconere shot-stopper from close range. The Rossonere deservedly took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half: Grimshaw met Tucceri Cimini’s corner and headed home to make it 1-0.
The second half started in the worst possible fashion: Bonansea advanced down the right and played in a cross in the direction of Hurtig; however, Bergamaschi got there first and unluckily diverted the ball past Giuliani and into her own net. At the other end, the Rossonere No.7 had a great opportunity to make amends a minute later (51’): Piemonte knocked it down for Valentina, who struck the bar with her effort. In the 54th minute, the incident which changed the course of the match occurred: Codina received a harsh second yellow for a foul on Caruso in midfield. Now with numerical superiority, Juventus pushed forward, but AC Milan continued to defend in a disciplined fashion. The Bianoconere’s best attempt was Girelli’s free kick in the 86th minute, but Giuliani produced a superb stop to keep her side on level terms. Two minutes later, however, Juventus managed to break through the Rossonere wall: Girelli nodded a corner into the net despite Giuliani and Árnadottir’s best efforts to keep it out. In added time, there was an incident in the penalty area involving Thomas, but a Juventus free kick was given instead of a spot-kick. It finished 2-1.
MATCH SUMMARY
JUVENTUS 2-1 AC MILAN
JUVENTUS (4-3-2-1): Peyraud-Magnin; Boattin, Gama, Lenzini, Lundorf Skovsen; Caruso (83' Staskova), Pedersen (91' Zamanian), Rasucci; Hurtig (73' Cernoia), Bonansea; Girelli. A disp.: Aprile; Hyyrynen, Nilden, Grosso, Pfattner, Panzeri. Coach: Montemurro.
AC MILAN (3-4-3): Giuliani; Codina, Agard, Fusetti; Bergamaschi, Adami, Grimshaw (83' Árnadottir), Tucceri Cimini; Thomas, Piemonte (73' Longo), Guagni. Subs.: Babb, Fedele; Thrige; Dal Brun, Premoli, Selimhodzic; Miotto. Coach: Ganz.
Referee: Ferrieri Caputi from Livorno
Goals: 45'+1 Grimshaw (M), 50' o.g. Bergamaschi (J), 89' Girelli (J).
Booked: 38' Codina (M), 76' Giuliani (M), 95' Ganz in the dugout (M).
Sent off: 54' Codina (M) for two bookable offences.
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