Two days on from the injury-time defeat in The Women's Cup, the Rosssonere got their revenge. The Amos Women's French Cup semi-final saw AC Milan involved in an immediate rematch with Atlético Madrid. This time out, Maurizio Ganz's side ran out 2-0 winners against the Rojiblancas, with goals from two new faces: Andrea Stašková and Gloria Marinelli. Both goals came in the first half and, given a second half full of sacrifice, allowed AC Milan to make it to a second prestigious final in the space of just a few days. It's an achievement that is sure to make the fans proud.
The signs from the game at the Stade Michel Bendichou in Colomiers were totally positive: they were clinical in the first half and managed to see out the clean sheet in the second. Despite the changes to the starting eleven from the match in Madrid, the Rossonere displayed total continuity in their gameplan and tactics. Marinelli, who was voted the MVP, again showed that she has fully settled into life at her new Club. Meanwhile, various young talents from the youth sector were featured in the matchday squad, such as Zanini and Cesarini. Now, the Rossonere go into Thursday's Final where they will take on PSG, who beat Liverpool 2-1 in the other semi. The game kicks off at 21:00 CEST and will be broadcast live on recast.tv.
REPORT
The Rossonere started strongly. In the 12th minute, Marinelli twice wriggled free of the defence but was denied in two attempts by Larqué. A few seconds later, AC Milan took the lead. Stašková got into the six-yard box and fired a low shot past the keeper to make it 1-0. AC Milan kept up the pressure and came close to a second through Grimshaw, who forced an excellent save from Larqué (14'). On the half-hour mark, the second goal did come. Cernoia's cross found Marinelli, who skipped past the Atleti keeper and tucked it away, 2-0. The first half ended with the Rossonere in complete control.
Atlético made a glut of changes at half time, which reinvigorated the Spanish side, who upped the ante to try and get back into it. Reyes had a go but Giuliani was alert to the danger and pushed the headed effort past the post for a corner. The Rossonere looked solid and organised, while the game lacked chances. AC Milan sat back and looked to hit Atleti on the counter, while the Spanish side pushed hard but to no avail. Copetti came to the fore late on, thwarting the Rojiblancas' attempts to score. It ended 2-0.
MATCH DETAILS
ATLÉTICO MADRID 0-2 AC MILAN
ATLÉTICO MADRID (4-2-3-1): Larqué; Xènia (64' Van Dongen), Cinta (76' Menayo), Vicky (46' Medina), Tanarro (76' Moraza); Gaby (76' Majarín), Dana (46' Santos); Alexia (64' Cardona), Nerea (46' Banini), Dargel (46' Ajibade); Reyes (64' Sheila). Subs.: Gallardo. Coach: Sánchez.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani (92' Copetti); Bergamaschi (92' Zanini), Árnadóttir, Fusetti, Thrige; Vigilucci (92' Cesarini), Cernoia (71' Mascarello), Grimshaw (71' Adami); Soffia (83' Guagni), Stašková (59' Jonušaitė), Marinelli (59' Dompig). Subs.: Van Eijk. Coach: Ganz.
Referee: Charlène Laur (FRA).
Goals: 12' Stašková (M), 32' Marinelli (M).
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