A WINNING RETURN TO LEAGUE ACTION FOR THE ROSSONERE

Three important points on their return to league action: the Rossonere beat bottom-of-the-table Parma 2-0 today, getting back to winning ways at home after two matches (v Como and Roma) without victory at the PUMA House of Football. Piemonte’s 44th-minute finish and Árnadóttir’s goal at the start of the second half secured the win for Ganz's side, who, after a slow start, improved as the match went on and, after Piemonte's opener, created several opportunities, especially at the beginning of the second half.  

In general, there are certainly plenty of positives to take from the game: a second consecutive clean sheet in Serie A after the win in Reggio Emilia (three in a row if the Coppa Italia is also included), three goals in four games for Martina Piemonte and a seventh Serie A assist for Sara Thrige. The Rossonere sit fifth on 22 points ahead of two intense weeks and their next league fixture, which will see them face Sampdoria away from home on Saturday. 

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v PARMA

HOW IT UNFOLDED
The Rossonere looked to get off to a good start as Mascarello saw her left-footed effort from a good position blocked by former AC Milan player Nora Heroum. Parma were making good use of the space being afforded to them and came close to opening the scoring through Martinović on two occasions (15' and 21'). However, the decisive moment of the first half came just before the break, with Martina Piemonte heading home Thrige's precise cross to make it 1-0 to AC Milan. 

It was a real setback for Parma, who struggled to contain Ganz's girls at the start of the second half. A big chance fell Lindsey Thomas' way, but she was unable to finish off Piemonte's assist from a couple of yards out. Moments later, Soffia received the ball from Mascarello but fired over. It seemed like a matter of time before the Rossonere scored again, and they did so in the 58th minute through an unexpected source: Guðný Árnadóttir made space for herself at the edge of the box, let fly and beat Capelletti via a deflection. After the Parma goalkeeper had denied Thomas two minutes later, AC Milan sought to manage the game and conceded just one chance in the 70th minute as Giuliani thwarted Vaitukaityte. There was no further goalmouth action.

MATCH SUMMARY

AC MILAN 2-0 PARMA

AC MILAN (4-4-1-1): Giuliani; Árnadóttir G., Mesjasz, Fusetti, Thrige; Bergamaschi (65' Guagni), Mascarello (72' Vigilucci), Dubcová K., Soffia (58' Adami); Thomas; Piemonte. Subs: Babb, Fedele; Carage; Asllani, Dubcová M., Sevenius. Coach: Ganz.

PARMA (4-2-3-1): Capelletti; Santoro, Heroum, Maia (84' Gaspar), Jelenčić (84' Arrigoni); Bardin, Cox (59' Árnadóttir M.); Cambiaghi, Banusić, Arcangeli (72' Vaitukaityte); Martinović (46' Farrelly). Subs: Ciccioli; Brscic, Nicolini, Williams. Coach: Panico. 

Referee: Angelucci from Foligno
Goals: 44' Piemonte (M), 58' Árnadóttir G. (M)
Booked: 40' Mascarello (M), 46' Farrelly (P), 79' Fusetti (M), 81' Árnadóttir G. (M). 

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