WOMEN'S U17S LOSE SCUDETTO FINAL ON PENALTIES

Twelve yards. An entire season can all come down to the distance between the penalty spot and goal. While the Rossonere experienced the joy of a semi-final shootout victory in the derby, they’re feeling the pain of a lost Scudetto final tonight. At the Stadio Bianchelli in Senigallia, AC Milan Women’s U17 side lost on penalties to Roma, who were crowned Champions of Italy. It finished 1-1 in normal time after Longobardi’s second-half goal cancelled out Fuzio’s opener, and, with no further goals in extra time, the Giallorosse went on to win the shootout 4-2.

Fabio Treccani’s Rossonere (the Coach was suspended today) gave their all and produced a fantastic performance. There were a few imprecise moments and mistakes from the penalty spot, but the team also created chances and responded after falling behind. Today doesn’t erase a great journey that saw AC Milan finish the regular season in first place and make it all the way to the final. As defending champions, our U17s came so close to a second consecutive title and, although they weren’t able to achieve this, deserve a huge round of applause. Well played, girls. We’re proud of you.

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REPORT
The first scare of the game arrived in the second minute as Ventriglia almost took advantage of some slack build-up play, but Lorenzi was able to intervene. Roma’s start was aggressive, but AC Milan quickly grew into it and had a golden opportunity in the eleventh minute: Zanisi progressed up the pitch and picked out Adelfio, who could only fire wide from inside the box. Both teams were looking to play attacking football and it was very much an open match: Valeri kept out a left-footed effort from Minnei (21’), while, a minute later, Lorenzi saved Canale’s right-footed shot. Roma then opened the scoring after 24 minutes, with Fuzio firing past Lorenzi from distance. The Rossonere tried to muster a quick response as Longobardi’s close-range attempt was saved by the goalkeeper’s foot. Half-time.

Evangelisti came on at half-time, with Donolato and Hu also entering the fray shortly afterwards. In between, Ieva let fly with a powerful but imprecise free-kick. The Rossonere then drew level in the 55th minute: Pomati played in a cross that Longobardi, in a somewhat unorthodox fashion, diverted into the net. Donolato came close to completing the turnaround three minutes later as she hit the bar. A few seconds passed and an opportunity fell Ventriglia’s way, but her effort was weak. There was no shortage of action and Longobardi had another go on the hour mark, but her attempt lacked power and precision. Cornacchia then skimmed the post in the 65th minute and tested Lorenzi with 74 minutes on the clock. The closing stages were rather disjointed and Carulli was almost punished for a mistake in the 83rd minute, but Cornacchia struck the post. Extra time.

Fatigue set in and there wasn’t much goalmouth action in extra time, although Montaperto (106’) and Canale (108’ and 113’) both had shots at goal. Roma then won the penalty shootout.

MATCH SUMMARY

ROMA 1-1 AC MILAN (4-2 on pens.)

ROMA (4-3-3): Valeri; Paniccia (46' Evangelisti), Di Girolamo, Noce, Fuzio (85' Positano); Martina Cherubini, Maya Cherubini, Ieva; Canale, Ventriglia (62' Cornacchia), Galli (46' Monaco). Substitutes: Ziantoni; Tedei; Esposito, Sena. Coach: Del Prete.

AC MILAN (4-3-1-2): Lorenzi; Pomati (91' Bonanomi), Carulli, Gemmi, Paglia; Adelfio (71' Montaperto), Peres (46' Zapelli), De Marco (51' Donolato); Zanisi (51' Hu); Minnei (82' Lupatini), Longobardi (96' Stendardi). Substitutes: Marcomini; Carotenuto. Coach: Prati.

Referee: Gagliardi from San Benedetto del Tronto.
Goals: 24' Fuzio (R), 55' Longobardi (M).
Penalties: Stendardi (M) saved, Ieva (R) scored, Gemmi (M) missed, Evangelisti (R) scored, Hu (M) scored, Noce (R) scored, Donolato (M) scored, Canale (R) scored.
Booked: 54' Ventriglia (R), 72' Gemmi (M).

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