THE ROSSONERE FALL TO DEFEAT AT VINOVO: 5-3 AGAINST JUVENTUS

Juventus will face Roma for the Women's Coppa Italia final, as AC Milan fell to a 5-3 semi-final defeat. However, the result doesn't tell the entire story of the game at Vinovo, as the Rossonere were near-perfect for the first hour of the game, as Ganz's team led the game 3-1; half the way to what would have been an extraordinary comeback. 

The opener came through Thomas, with the captain, Bergamaschi, grabbing a quickfire brace at the start of the second half. On the other hand, these were mere snapshots of a game, in which AC Milan finished with just 10 men, as Tucceri Cimini was sent off for a second bookable offence. Attention now turns to the final two games of the league season for the Rossonere: the derby away to Inter this coming Saturday afternoon, before the final matchday of the season at Vismara, with Juventus in town.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v JUVENTUS 

MATCH REPORT
Coach Ganz had to do without several players today: Giuliani was only able to make the bench, while Codina, Grimshaw and Jane were all absent. Nevertheless, the Rossonere began the match in a focused and decisive manner. The first shot of the game came from Bergamaschi (5’) before AC Milan took the lead four minutes later through Thomas, who produced a lovely lob after being picked out in behind. Juve looked to respond, with Tucceri Cimini clearing Staskova’s twelfth-minute effort off the line. However, the Rossonere were the team taking the game to their opponents. In the 20th minute, a scramble ended with Adami having a go at goal, but Aprile got down to save. As the clock ticked by, Juventus started to take control of possession, but Ganz’s side remained attentive, always aiming to counter by playing the ball forward quickly. Thomas threatened after 40 minutes, but she wasn’t able to find a teammate with her cross.

The second half started in a lively fashion. With 49 minutes on the clock, AC Milan doubled their advantage through Bergamaschi, who got on the end of Piemonte’s long ball, held off the attentions of Lundorf and beat the outrushing Aprile. 120 seconds later, Juventus reduced the arrears: Stašková slotted home following a save from Babb. The Dutch goalkeeper was then equal to a shot from Bonfantini, after which the Rossonere netted their third in the 57th minute. Bergamaschi was the one who scored it, tapping into the net after initially being denied by Aprile. AC Milan still needed another three goals to take the match into extra time. Juve, meanwhile, started playing higher up the pitch and proceeded to score three times in the space of twelve minutes. Stašková bagged her second of the day (68’), while Bonansea then let fly with an unstoppable right-footed strike (78’). In the 80th minute, Caruso sent Babb the wrong way from the penalty spot after Tucceri Cimini had committed a professional foul on Bonfantini (a red card for the Rossonere defender). With the match drawing to a close, Boattin made it five for the home side. Full-time.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS
"We made it difficult for ourselves with the 6-1 defeat in the first leg, but the girls played really well today", said coach, Maurizio Ganz after today's game. "We played well, but this wasn't enough. It was pretty clear, that at 3-1, we changed and tried to push for more goals, but left ourselves off-balanced and were subject to a Juventus comeback. We presented them with a few chances, which they capitalised on. However, I can't blame the team for playing the way they did today, as this was the performance I've been asking for all week".

MATCH DETAILS

JUVENTUS 5-3 AC MILAN

JUVENTUS (4-3-3): Aprile; Lundorf (67' Hyyrynen), Lenzini, Sembrant (85' Panzeri), Boattin; Rosucci (77' Zamanian), Nilden (67' Bonansea), Grosso; Caruso, Stašková, Bonfantini (85' Arcangeli). Subs.: Forcinella; Gama, Cernoia, Beccari. Coach: Montemurro.

AC MILAN (3-4-3): Babb; Árnadóttir, Agard (88' Thrige), Fusetti; Guagni, Adami, Boureille, Tucceri Cimini; Thomas, Piemonte (88' Longo), Bergamaschi. Subs.: Cazzioli, Giuliani; Kirschstein; Selimhodzic; Cortesi, Miotto, Stapelfeldt. Coach: Ganz.

Referee: Delrio from Reggio Emilia.
Goals: 9' Thomas (M), 49' and 57' Bergamaschi (M), 51' and 68' Staskova (J), 78' Bonansea (J), 80' pen. Caruso (J), 87' Boattin (J).
Bookings: 63' Tucceri Cimini (M).
Red Cards: 79' Tucceri Cimini (M) (second yellow).

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