WOMEN, AC MILAN v COMO: MATCH PREVIEW

The second half of the season gets underway with a crucial fixture for the Rossonere. AC Milan v Como is a true battle between direct rivals in the race for the Championship Round (Poule Scudetto) as both sides share points and the same spot in the table after the opening nine matches. This is the ideal opportunity for us to get back going and continue to grow as a squad, let's get into it in our Match Preview. 

LATEST FROM PUMA HOUSE OF FOOTBALL
The setback away to Juventus interrupted the mostly positive run for the Rossonere, who had not lost with more than a one-goal margin in the league for over a year. What cannot be forgotten about the game in Biella, however, is the hard work of a team that have so far walked away with less than they deserve and who have the chance to get back on track with the help of the PUMA House of Football: Bakker's side boasts an ongoing run of three consecutive wins at home. The spotlight will be on Evelyn Ijeh who has scored in each of the last two home games (Sampdoria and Sassuolo), as well as the young Rossonere trio of Sorelli-Stokić-Renzotti to whom we can add Cesarini, back in the last few days. Not to mention the fully recovered star of a great second half against Juventus, Chanté Dompig.

"The match against Como is a new opportunity to turn the page after the game against Juventus", Coach Bakker said before the clash. "We have worked with a lot of energy and high intensity this week on our style of play. I expect an energetic team that is looking for revenge".

LATEST FROM COMO
Stefano Sottili's side are on a good run having won three consecutive league games against Sassuolo (2-4), Lazio (1-2) and Napoli (3-0) to keep their ambitions in the standings high and put behind them the heavy defeat and elimination from the Coppa Italia ten days or so ago: 7-2 to Lazio. Their win in the first half of the season could leave our opposition with hopes for another at the PUMA House of Football, one that counts double in the race for the Championship Round as they could safely put the battle with direct rivals, the Rossonere, behind them. There were two big names in the first game earlier this season: the former Napoli player, Spaniard Elisa del Estal and the midfielder Nadine Nischler who have 11 goals between them. Slotting into the top-level 4-3-1-2 are many big players, plus the additions of the German Petzelberger and Kerr from the USA.

After the win over Napoli last time out, Nischler stated: "I am happy if I can help the squad with my goals. Now, though, we have to work, there is a lot to improve, and we still have nine games to go".

PRE-MATCH STATS

• This will be the eighth meeting between AC Milan and Como in the Women's Serie A: the Lariane won the previous fixture, and the Rossonere have totalled four wins. The count is completed by two draws. 
• The Rossonere have won eight of their last nine home games in the league, keeping a clean sheet in the last two. Should AC Milan make it a run of three home wins without conceding, it will be the first time in the Women's Serie A.
• In terms of statistics, AC Milan and Como are at opposite ends of the rankings for attempted dribbles (the Rossonere are first and the Lariane penultimate) but they're close in terms of shots taken after an offensive recovery (Como ahead 18 to our 15). The Rossonere are second in the league, behind Roma, for the average possession this season (58.1% of the ball).
• Angelica Soffia bagged her last goal in Serie A against Como on May 5. Oona Sevenius is a former Como player having scored 4 goals in 24 appearances for the Lariane last year, whilst the guests count three players with a Milan past: Dominika Čonč, Alia Guagni and Giorgia Spinelli.

Cesarini: "Incredible debut, vital game against Como"

Watch now

WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN ON TV
In Italy, AC Milan v Como will be broadcast live on DAZN from 18:00 CET. Don't miss the coverage on acmilan.com, the Rossonere's Instagram account and the AC Milan Official App, where the full match replay will also be available on demand from the following day.

LATEST FROM WOMEN'S SERIE A
Fabrizio Pacella will officiate the game. Cozzuto and Granata will be his assistants and Laugelli the fourth official.

AC Milan v Como will close out matchday 10 in the league, the first game of the second half of the regular season. Saturday 16 November: Napoli v Fiorentina at 15:00 CET and Sampdoria v Inter at 18:00 CET. Other than the game at the PUMA House of Football, on Sunday 17 there will be Juventus v Sassuolo at 12:30 CET and Roma v Lazio at 15:30 CET.

The current league standings in Women's Serie A: Juventus 25; Fiorentina 21; Inter and Roma 18; Como and AC Milan 13; Lazio 6; Napoli 5; Sassuolo 4; Sampdoria 3.

The AC Milan PUMA Kits for 2024/25 are available: buy them now!