2‑0 WIN OVER AMÉRICA DE CALI, ROSSONERE REACH THE FINAL
Women
All good things come in threes and following friendly wins over Merano and Parma (both ending 3-1), the Rossonere have now beaten América de Cali in The Women's Cup 2023 semi-final. At the Wanda Alcalá de Henares Sports Centre, goals from Greta Adami in the first half and one after the break from Christy Grimshaw saw Coach Ganz's side win 2-0 in the opening game of the competition. In front of a good crowd full of support for AC Milan in Spain, the Rossonere already looked in good physical condition and were able to capitalise on the chances created without conceding any meaningful opportunities to the Colombians.
The new signings brought verve and enthusiasm, already demonstrating a good understanding with their teammates, while the entire squad continues to make significant strides forward. Special mention must go to the performances of Alia Guagni, fully recovered and inspired, and Laura Giuliani, vital in keeping a clean sheet. In the second half, there were also positive minutes on the pitch in an AC Milan shirt for Andrea Stašková. Focus now turns to the final to try and lift the trophy, scheduled for Saturday 26 August at 21:00 CEST. Aiming to stop them will be the hosts Atlético de Madrid, who hammered River Plate 6-0 in the other semi-final.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v AMÉRICA DE CALI
MATCH REPORT
The game got off to an intense and energtic start, with both sides weighing each other up and trying to find the right openings to attack. The first chance fell to the feet of Bonilla, who on 16' put her effort just over after some good individual work. AC Milan were starting to get on top, but attempts from Cernoia, directly from a corner-kick, and Adami from the edge of the box failed to find the net. But on the 37th minute, the deserved Rossonere opener eventually came: a cross-come-shot from Adami from distance caught out Giraldo and the ball flew in to make it 1-0. The Rossonere looked to make the most of their advantage before the half-time whistle, but Giraldo kept out Guagni and Cernoia's attempts on goal. A slender lead at the break.
The second half opened up with a chance for each side: on 49', Martinelli played through Dompig, who missed the chance to finish off a one-on-one with Giraldo, while a few minutes later Martínez's cross found Zamorano, who worried the Rossonere backline, but Giuliani was alert to save. Substitutions didn't change the direction of the match and the Italian side remained in control of possession and pace.On 58', Guagni got in, after some nice play on the right, and struck a left-footed shot that was deflected behind for a corner. On 79', the lead was doubled: Dompig to Grimshaw, who fired it home under the bar with her right past Giraldo to make it 2-0 and seal the tie. In the closing minutes, Giuliani saved from a final América de Cali onslaught, and it ended 2-0 to us.
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 2-0 AMÉRICA DE CALI
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Guagni, Árnadóttir, Vigilucci, Bergamaschi; Grimshaw, Cernoia, Adami (82' Thrige); Laurent (75' Jonušaitė), Dompig (75' Soffia), Marinelli (65' Stašková). Unused subs: Copetti, van Eijk; Fusetti, Zanini; Cesarini. Coach: Ganz.
AMÉRICA DE CALI (4-4-2): Giraldo; Basanta, Arias (80' Agudelo), Castañeda, Yantén (65' Rodríguez); Bonilla (65' Vidal), Pineda (46' Bahr), Martínez, Muñoz; Zamorano (85' Castellanos), Usme. Unused subs: Coronel; Fisgativa, Caro, Cabezas, Torres, Marquínez, Quintero. Coach: Hernández.
Referee: Raquel Suárez González (Spain).
Goals: 37' Adami (M), 79'st Grimshaw (M).
Bookings: 30' Pineda (A), 35' Bonilla (A), 35' Bergamaschi (M), 36' Yantén (A), 90+2'st Giuliani (M).
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