A BITTER END FOR THE ROSSONERE: 3-3 AGAINST COMO

Como came from behind to equalise in stoppage time to stop AC Milan from earning all three points, and give the Rossonere their first draw of the season. At the PUMA House of Football it ended 3-3, with Lindsey Thomas' brace and Laura Fusetti, scoring the third, not enough to seal victory and change the fortunes of their league campaign, after being beaten at Pomigliano last time out. That goal at the death was a killer blow for Ganz's side who, despite giving a good performance, were surprised late on and left to pay the price from an unfortunate moment.

The three-pronged attack in Coach Ganz's 3-4-1-2 formation, with Asllani, Thomas and Piemonte all starting together from the first minute, responded in a positive way, being led in particular by an excellent performance by the French forward. Thomas finally broke her duck for the season, as did Fusetti. The Rossonere though were unable to see the game out, in what was the first one back after the international break, and move to 13 points after nine league games. Their next fixture is away to Fiorentina on Saturday 26 November for the first game in the second part of the Women's Serie A TIM season. After the game, Captain Bergamaschi made a special presentation, on behalf of the team, to outgoing CEO Ivan Gazidis, who was in attendance, handing him a commemorative shirt and thanking him for the work and support given during these fours years together.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v COMO WOMEN

MATCH REPORT
The opening stages of the game were cagey and evenly balanced, with both sides studying each other and outlining their first attacking moves. After nine minutes Thomas put the Rossonere ahead, making the most of a scramble in the area and rapidly firing home with her right foot into the corner to make it 1-0. After finding the opening goal, AC Milan relaxed and started to put Como on the back foot, doubling their lead through Thomas again on 22 minutes who, with space to run into, drove down on goal and placed a low shot past Korenčiová for 2-0. The scoreline stunned the away side as AC Milan continued to control the ball, and the tempo of the game. Just before the half-hour mark, Tucceri Cimini smashed a free-kick against the post, but in the closing minutes of the first-half Como found a way back into the game. Pavan got away down the left and put a low ball in which found Karlernäs, who pounced and powerfully struck left-footed to beat Giuliani after 40 minutes. The first half ended 2-1. 

The Rossonere came back out reinvigorated and put the pressure back on Como. Inside five minutes of the restart, Mesjasz's header flew just wide, and two minutes later the dangerous Thomas went on a mazy run in the box but couldn't end it off in style. But the third came soon after on 55 minutes: Mascarello's corner was met highest by Fusetti who headed home to make it 3-1. A fourth should have been added after 73 minutes as Tucceri Cimini missed a penalty;  one minute later the away side cut the deficit to reopen the game, with Beccari firing home past Giuliani from Lipman's cross from the left. A complicated end to the game saw the Rossoneri drop deep, giving the Lariani the impetus to push forward. And in the second minute of added time, they found the equaliser: Bergamaschi's late challenge in the box was deemed a foul and the referee pointed to the spot. Giuliani got the better of Rizzon to save the spot-kick, but the penalty-taker was there to slot home on the rebound. It ended 3-3.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS:
"We played well, got in front twice, but then the missed penalty by us changed the game" - said Assistant Head Coach Davide Cordone. "A lapse towards the end reopened the game and we were punished by a dubious penalty in stoppage time. We're angry because we could have closed the gap in the table. We need to reduce the number of errors ahead of our upcoming games."

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 3-3 COMO WOMEN

AC MILAN (3-4-1-2): Giuliani; Árnadóttir, Mesjasz, Fusetti; Bergamaschi, Mascarello (77' Vigilucci), Adami (71' K. Dubcová), Tucceri Cimini; Asllani (77' Soffia); Piemonte, Thomas. Subs: Babb, Fedele; Guagni, Thrige Andersen; M. Dubcová. Coach: Ganz.

COMO WOMEN (4-3-3): Korenčiová; Cecotti, Rizzon, Lipman, Borini (85' Carravetta); Karlernäs, Hilaj, Picchi (81' Rigaglia); Pavan (62' Pastrenge), Kubassova (62' Di Luzio), Beccari. Subs: Beretta; Bianchi; Beil, Cavicchia, Liva. Coach: De La Fuente.

Referee: Scarpa from Collegno.
Goals: 9' Thomas (M), 22' Thomas (M), 40' Karlernäs (C), 55' Fusetti (M), 74' Beccari (C), 92' Rizzon (C).
Booked: 18' Karlernäs (C), 30' Mascarello (M), 38' Tucceri Cimini (M), 50' Cecotti (C), 73' Hilaj (C), 87' Beccari (C). 

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