A LATE VICTORY FOR THE ROSSONERE
Women
The Rossonere turned things around to pick up three vital points against Lazio today. At the Vismara Sports Centre, Coach Ganz’s girls ran out 3-1 winners against the team from the capital, who took the lead with their first counter-attack and didn’t afford much space to their opponents. However, the Rossonere showed desire and determination to eventually come away with a victory thanks to late goals from the substitutes Stapelfeldt and Thrige.
Martina Piemonte produced another great performance, scoring for her second consecutive match in Serie A and also setting up Nina Stapelfeldt to net the goal that gave AC Milan the lead. Next weekend will see the Rossonere return to Coppa Italia action: the Vismara Sports Centre will host the second leg of AC Milan’s quarter-final tie against Sampdoria, with Ganz’s team aiming to defend a healthy advantage following their 4-1 victory in the first fixture.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v LAZIO
REPORT
The Rossonere didn’t get off to the best of starts as Visentin opened the scoring for Lazio on the counter (7’). AC Milan looked to respond immediately and began to create chances, with Bergamaschi heading over and Thomas striking the post. The equaliser came in the 39th minute as Piemonte latched onto Guagni’s ball and got the better of Öhrström.
The team’s desire to pick up three points was on full display in the second half. With 64 minutes on the clock, it seemed like Jane was about to give AC Milan the lead, but she was denied by the Lazio goalkeeper. In the 82nd minute, Bergamaschi put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Öhrström. The Rossonere kept on going, however, and finally took the lead after 89 minutes, when Stapelfeldt, who had just come on, headed home Piemonte’s cross. There was then also time for a third, with Thrige, also on as a second-half substitute, sealing the win.
POST-MATCH
Coach Ganz had the following to say after the match: “It was a difficult game. Lazio sat deep and looked to counter, while we were struggling to find space. Therefore, we tried to play a different game to what we’ve done before. We conceded a goal from our own corner, allowing them to counter instead of scoring ourselves. Then, Martina made it 1-1. We ran a few risks but came close to finding the net on 4-5 occasions in the second half. Stapelfeldt and Thrige, who came on as substitutes, then made it 2-1 and 3-1. I think it was a deserved win, even if we had to dig in. We showed the character, determination and desire to never give up and win at all costs.”
Despite the match being played behind closed doors, Ganz commented on the supporters present outside: “It was very important to hear the fans, who came with an enormous flag with the number 6. They cheered on the whole team, the players, the staff and me from the first to the last minute. This is the beauty of football and AC Milan.”
Valentina Bergamaschi also spoke after the game: “It was a very difficult game psychologically, but I think that the group’s strength emerged. We never gave up, even after falling behind early on. We wanted to win, and, when we came out of the changing room for the second half, we were determined not to lose and continue our positive run instead. This is what happened: we picked up three points that were difficult to obtain, and we’re delighted to have done so.”
MATCH SUMMARY
AC MILAN 3-1 LAZIO
AC MILAN (3-4-3): Giuliani; Codina, Agard, Fusetti; Guagni (86' Stapelfeldt), Jane, Grimshaw, Tucceri Cimini (53' Thrige); Thomas (73' Longo), Piemonte, Bergamaschi. Subs: Babb, Beka; Boureille, Dal Brun, Miotto, Premoli. Coach: Ganz.
LAZIO (4-4-2): Öhrström; Labate (67' Pezzotti), Fordos, Groff, Visentin; Ferrandi (70' Di Giammarino), Cuschieri, Castiello, Heroum; Fridlund (87' Vigilucci), Pittaccio. Subs: Santoro; Le Franc, Guidi, Chukwudi, Natalucci, Savini. Coach: Catini.
Referee: Gigliotti from Cosenza.
Goals: 7' Visentin (L), 39' Piemonte (M), 89' Stapelfeldt (M), 94' Thrige (M).
Booked: 51' Codina (M).
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