LAURENT IN THE 96', AC MILAN 1-1 NAPOLI

An afternoon of target practice that took on an ironic tone. The Rossonere, with an equaliser from Laurent in the 96th minute, bagged a draw against Napoli. The result was hard fought for Corti’s team who deserved to have better luck given the chances they created. The final scoreline was 1-1, much like the first fixture this season that was also decided by a goal from Laurent: a 96th-minute equaliser on 1 October and the exact same again today. In our 150th game in history in all competitions, Emelyne’s goal was our 250th in Serie A.

At the PUMA House of Football, it was a bittersweet ending to avoid an undeserved defeat, leaving the Rossonere still searching for a win: the home run now counts three consecutive draws, unable to put an end to the run of 6 games without a win to close out the Rossonere’s 2023. A positive from today was the return of Silvia Rubio, 475 days after her last appearance during AC Milan v Fiorentina on 28 August 2022. For her, and the whole squad, this return is a good omen for the coming year that will start with the away game against Juventus.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v NAPOLI

MATCH REPORT
There were two surprises from Corti at the start of the match: Babb in goal and Rubio in the midfield, back from many months out through injury. The start was promising with AC Milan dangerously close to an opener in the first 2 minutes, first with Bergamaschi and then with Laurent. The signs are all positive and in the 20th minute, Rubio’s corner ends with a shot from Asllani who forces Bačić into the first of many saves. It was AC Milan again in the 24th minute, this time Dompig freed herself up on the left to cross to Laurent whose header forced the keeper to make a difficult save. Napoli didn’t respond and Rubio tried a shot following a corner in the 30th minute, chipping the post but ending up in Bačić's hands. The first half ended goalless, with a touch of regret for the Rossonere.

The second half started with the same feeling as the first half, the Rossonere pushing forward and the Azzurre defending. However, just before the hour mark, Napoli bagged the opener following their first action of the game: Chmielinski's cross found del Estel who headed it in to give the visitors an unexpected lead. The Rossonere reaction was immediate, producing several chances, first with Dompig who beat the keeper but had her shot saved by Pettenuzzo in the empty net, helped out by the post. Then Bačić outdid herself, saving Laurent’s shot from close range, once again assisted by Dompig. In the 86th minute, Soffia had two chances in the box but was blocked both times, before Marinelli’s shot was deflected wide a minute later. The Napoli goalkeeper couldn’t do anything to stop Laurent’s last effort, shooting with her right foot to make it 1-1 in the final moments before the whistle blew.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-1 NAPOLI

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Babb; Bergamaschi, Swaby, Piga (73' Fusetti), Thrige (73' Soffia); Grimshaw, Rubio (64' Vigilucci); Laurent, Asllani (64' Mascarello), Dompig; Stašková (40' Marinelli). Unused subs: Giuliani; Adami, Cernoia; Arrigoni. Coach: Corti.

NAPOLI (4-3-2-1): Bačić; Bertucci, Pettenuzzo, Di Bari, Kobayashi; Mauri, Gallazzi, Giacobbo (85' Pellinghelli); Chmielinski (79' Veritti); Del Estal; Lazaro (83' Banusic). Unused subs: Beretta, Fabiano; Cammarano, D'Angelo, Langella. Coach: Seno.

Referee: Manzo di Torre Annunziata
Goals: 57' Del Estal (N), 96' Laurent (M)
Bookings: 54' Kobayashi (N), 59' Mascarello (M), 74' Bertucci (N), 80' Vigilucci (M), 94' Seno (N)

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