ROSSONERE COME UNSTUCK: POMIGLIANO SEAL IT AT THE DEATH
Women
The Rossonere failed to back up last week's important win over Juventus, falling to a last-minute defeat on matchday eight against Pomigliano. AC Milan battled courageously throughout the game, taking the lead through an own-goal before being surprisingly pegged back on the half-hour mark by Amorim's equaliser. Grimshaw's sending off at the end of the first half complicated things for Ganz's side, who were the better outfit after the break, but were caught out a minute from the end on the break. The side from Campania grab an unlikely win, while the Rossonere slip up with an undeserved painful defeat.
Coach Ganz made two changes to the starting eleven, both on the flanks: Thrige and Tucceri Cimini replaced Soffia and Bergamaschi. And it was the Italian wide player who looked the most threatening, creating several dangerous openings from set-pieces in the first half. The forward duo of Piemonte and Asllani were not quite firing on all cylinders, but fought hard nonetheless without ever finding the right spark. The Rossonere mustn't wait long though to return to action as they face Ternana at home in the first round of Coppa Italia on 2 November, before a two-week break. On their return, Ganz's girls will face Como at PUMA House of Football on the final game before the halfway point in the Women's Serie A fixture schedule.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM POMIGLIANO V AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The match was an ill-tempered and tight affair from the off, with the Rossonere finding space out wide, and Pomigliano looking to break at every opportunity. The first chance of the game came after nine minutes: Tucceri Cimini's corner caused a dangerous scramble in the box, but the home side were able to get the ball clear from danger. AC Milan had a string of corners and on the fourth attempt found broke the deadlock: another perfectly-placed cross by Tucceri Cimini unfortunately deflected off Passeri into her own net to give the away side the lead, 1-0 after 18 minutes. From then on, the Rossonere controlled the game and possession but were stunned on the half-hour mark: Gallazzi's long ball found Amorim who raced through on goal to beat Giuliani and equalise. At the end of the half, things went from bad to worse for AC Milan with Grimshaw seeing red in the 43rd minute, yet despite the numerical disadvantage they still had a great chance through Piemonte, but her shot flew high over the bar, after Thrige's assist. At half-time, the two sides went in 1-1.
The first signs of life after the break were again from our side, but Adami's attempt from distance failed to worry Cetinja. The player advantage for the home side though encouraged them to push forward towards Giuliani's goal without creating too much danger for AC Milan, who continued to control the tempo of the game. Both sides opened up as the game progressed but lacked any precision in the final third and created very few chances. The Rossonere stepped on the gas in the final quarter of the game, as they looked for a winner: after 74 minutes, Asllani tried her luck, and four minutes later Piemonte made Cetinja worry after her strike from distance. Ganz's side, attracted by the three points and in the ascendancy, succumbed to the sucker-punch a minute before the end of normal time: Novellino found space in the centre and fired past Giuliani. There was no time to react and it ended 2-1.
MATCH DETAILS
POMIGLIANO 2-1 AC MILAN
POMIGLIANO (4-3-1-2): Cetinja; Rizza, Passeri, Konat, Fusini; Gallazzi, Ferrario, Di Giammarino (93' Miotto); Taty (87' Battelani); Martínez, Amorim (79' Novellino). Subs: Fierro; Apicella, Rocco; Rabot; Manca, Sangaré. Coach: Sanchez.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Giuliani; Árnadóttir, Fusetti, Mesjasz; Thrige (85' Soffia), Grimshaw, Adami, K. Dubcová (55' Mascarello), Tucceri Cimini (55' Thomas); Piemonte, Asllani. Subs: Babb, Fedele; Carage; Vigilucci; Bergamaschi, M. Dubcová. Coach: Ganz.
Referee: Cherchi.
Goals: 18' OG. Pafferi (M), 30' Amorim (P), 89' Novellino (P).
Booked: 42' Árnadóttir (M), 56' Mascarello (M), 65' Di Giammarino (P).
Sent off: 43' Grimshaw (M).
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