ROSSONERE NARROWLY BEATEN
Women
The second matchday of the return leg ended in a narrow defeat for AC Milan Women, who were beaten at the Tre Fontane stadium in Rome by the Giallorosse. As in the previous meeting in September in the Women’s Cup, it finished 1-0, with the decisive goal coming midway through the second half from former Rossonera Valentina Bergamaschi. However, the scoreline did little justice to a balanced contest, played with personality, generosity and commitment by Bakker’s side. Both teams had their chances, including hitting the crossbar once each.
On an afternoon defined by key incidents, the one that proved decisive came just before the hour mark: the red card shown to Kayleigh van Dooren after an FVS review. Even with a numerical disadvantage, the Rossonere did not stop trying to create chances, but the gap proved too great to bridge for Grimshaw and her teammates. The defeat leaves us on 20 points, temporarily dropping to fifth place and away from the European spots. However, there will be a chance to bounce back, starting with the next home fixture against Fiorentina. Come on, girls!
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MATCH REPORT
The match got off to a very lively start, with the Rossonere looking dangerous after six minutes when Baldi was forced to rush out to smother Koivisto’s effort. The hosts went close to taking the lead when Viens struck the crossbar in the 15th minute, but AC Milan also hit the woodwork as Soffia’s long-range shot crashed against the bar in the 21st minute with the goalkeeper beaten. As the minutes passed, the tempo at the Tre Fontane dropped. The Giallorosse found the net through Viens, but the goal was ruled out for offside, while Van Dooren, at the end of the half, failed to put enough power on the ball from a good position inside the six-yard box.
The second half began without any changes and with another goal ruled out, again for Viens, for offside. Dragoni and Van Dooren wasted two good chances in the 49th and 53rd minutes respectively. The match changed within the space of a few minutes just after the hour mark: first AC Milan were reduced to ten players following a red card shown to Van Dooren after an FVS review, then they conceded the opening goal, scored by former Rossonera Bergamaschi. The Rossonere refused to give up and turned to substitute Kyvåg, while in the 77th minute Giuliani produced a superb reflex save from close range to deny Viens. In the closing stages - including a very long stoppage time - AC Milan pushed forward with generosity, but the scoreline did not change and Roma claimed the win.
MATCH DETAILS
ROMA 1-0 AC MILAN
ROMA (4-3-3): Baldi; Thøgersen, Oladipo, Heatley, Bergamaschi; Giugliano (90'+2 Pandini), Csiki, Greggi; Babajide (70' Corelli), Viens, Dragoni (90'+2 Galli). Subs: Lukášová, Soggiu; Antoine, Piekarska, Valdezate; Dorsin. Coach: Rossettini.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Koivisto, De Sanders (84' Appiah), Soffia, Keijzer; Arrigoni, Grimshaw (84' Mascarello), Park (79' Sesay); Stokić (79' Dompig), Van Dooren, Renzotti (65' Kyvåg). Subs: Estévez, Tornaghi; Kamczyk. Coach: Bakker.
Referee: Gavini from Aprilia.
Goal: 66' Bergamaschi (R).
Booked: 58' Bergamaschi (R).
Sent-off: 63' Van Dooren (M).
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