DUBCOVÁ SCORES STOPPAGE‑TIME WINNER AGAINST NAPOLI
Women
It was a rollercoaster of an afternoon at the PUMA House of Football. In the end, the Rossonere beat Napoli 3-2 in their third Relegation Round match to make it five consecutive wins in Serie A. Mascarello, Bergamaschi and Kamila Dubcová all got on the scoresheet for AC Milan, who were pegged back twice by the visitors following Del Estal's finish and an unfortunate own goal from Julie Piga in the 87th minute. Despite not dominating as much as they did in their previous two outings, Coach Corti's side emerged victorious and now have 30 points after 21 matches.
It was an intense encounter with plenty chances and mistakes, and there was even a moment of confusion when it seemed like Rubio had made it 3-1 just before the cooling break in the second half. Her goal was initially given but then chalked off for a foul on the goalkeeper. Nevertheless, our girls were able to overcome the setbacks they suffered to extend their winning run. Indeed, after conceding an equaliser in unfortunate circumstances, they found the strength to go up the other end and win it. The team's next match will be away to Sampdoria at 12:30 CEST on Sunday.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v NAPOLI
MATCH REPORT
The Rossonere made a strong start: less than a minute into the match, Nadim had a go from the edge of the box, but her shot lacked the power to really trouble Beretta. At the other end of the pitch, Del Estal and Banusic both threatened for Napoli, for whom Pettenuzzo hit the post with a 25th-minute header. In the 32nd minute, Piga wasn't quite able to convert at the far post for the Rossonere. The opener arrived in first-half stoppage time: Ijeh protected the ball well and found Nadim, who crossed it in for Marta Mascarello to head into the net and, in doing so, score her second league goal this season. Coach Corti made two changes at the break, sending on Dubcová and Laurent for Nadim and Mascarello (who had been booked).
After an even start to the second half, the visitors equalised through Del Estal, who nodded home a precise cross from Lazaro. Our girls responded in the best way possible: two minutes later, Bergamaschi fired past Beretta with her left foot to restore our advantage (64'). Then, with 73 minutes on the clock, a cross-shot from Rubio ended in the net, but Stašková was penalised for a foul on Napoli's shot-stopper. Having had a goal ruled out, the Rossonere conceded in the 87th minute: Piga diverted the ball into her own goal as she attempted to get in the way of Banusic's strike. However, AC Milan were able to win it through Dubcová, who made it 3-2 with a powerful right-footed shot from the middle of the box in the 92nd minute. Victory for the Rossonere!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 3-2 NAPOLI
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Babb; Guagni (68' Rubio), Swaby, Piga, Bergamaschi; Cernoia, Mascarello (46' Laurent), Vigilucci; Dompig (91' Marinelli), Nadim (46' Dubcová), Ijeh (68' Stašková). Subs.: Copetti, Giuliani; Fusetti; Soffia. Coach: Corti.
NAPOLI (4-3-3): Beretta; Bertucci (77' Di Bari), Di Marino, Pettenuzzo, Kobayashi; Giacobbo (61' Lazaro), Gallazzi, Giai (77' Kajzba); Banusic (91' Mauri), Del Estal, Chmielinski. Subs: Bacic, Fabiano; Pellinghelli, Togawa, Veritti. Coach: Seno.
Referee: Totaro from Lecce.
Goals: 45'+2 Mascarello (M), 62' Del Estal (N), 64' Bergamaschi (M), 87' own goal Piga (N), 90'+2 Dubcová (M).
Booked: 44' Mascarello (M).
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