THE WOMEN'S PRIMAVERA ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF ITALY
Youth Teams
The crowning achievement after an incredible journey. The women’s Primavera are the Champions of Italy for the first time in history after beating Sassuolo 3-1 in the Scudetto final at Viola Park. 120 minutes were needed to decide the showdown, which was level after 90 minutes following goals from Appiah and Girotto. Zago’s Rossonere, who put in a strong shift and created plenty of chances (including hitting the post at the end of the first half), deserved to win it in normal time, with the opposition goalkeeper, Di Nallo, standing in their way on several occasions. In the end, both Petra Mikulica and Sara Stokić scored in the second half of extra time to seal the victory.
In just their third-ever season, the women’s Primavera have clinched a magnificent Scudetto, which they’d narrowly missed out on in the previous two campaigns after consecutive semi-final defeats. In this triumphant side, there are several girls who have progressed through the youth ranks of our Youth Sector, which, in the past few years, has already achieved important outcomes at U15 and U17 level. This year, the Primavera have emerged victorious at the end of a campaign that also saw them win the Viareggio Women’s Cup. Everyone deserves a round of applause, from the girls captained by Sorelli and the staff members led by Coach Zago through to everyone involved in our women’s sector. Let the party begin!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v SASSUOLO
MATCH REPORT
The Rossonere made a bright start, getting the ball forward quickly. It took 17 minutes for the opener to arrive, with Appiah scoring in a similar fashion to how she did in the semis: she started out on the left, beat a couple of defenders and then finished at the near post to make it 1-0. The pace of the match wasn’t particularly high, with AC Milan controlling proceedings and being careful not to give Sassuolo space to counter. Zanini tested Di Nallo with a 36th-minute effort, while Stokić hit the post in first-half stoppage time after a nice bit of individual work.
The second half opened with an opportunity for Appiah, who couldn’t quite make the right connection with the ball. The Rossonere’s best chance to double their advantage arrived in the 64th minute, when Di Nallo won the 1v1 battle with Longobardi. Sassuolo were gradually growing stronger and equalised with their first real chance: Girotto fired home with her right foot in the 76th minute. The teams became stretched as they went on the hunt for victory. With 84 minutes on the clock, Di Nallo got down well to thwart Stokić. In stoppage time, Zanini volleyed towards goal from the edge of the box, but, again, the Sassuolo shot-stopper was in place to save.
The match went to extra time and, a few seconds after kick-off, AC Milan were awarded a penalty after Pede was penalised for handball. Cesarini stepped up but was foiled by Di Nallo, who also saved Donolato’s follow-up. There wasn’t much goalmouth action for the rest of the first half of extra time, but Appiah and Stokić started to threaten again in the second period. The latter couldn’t keep her attempt down on the 113-minute mark, but the Rossonere then regained the lead a minute later: Mikulica, who had entered the fray in the closing stages of normal time, cut inside and found the net with her right foot. Stokić then sealed the win on the counter in the 117th minute to spark the title celebrations!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 3-1 SASSUOLO (AET)
AC MILAN (4-2-1-3): Tornaghi; Zanini, Sorelli, Pomati (106' De Marco), Gemmi; Arrigoni, Cesarini (106' Boldrini); Stokić (119' Cappa); Renzotti (79' Mikulica), Longobardi (68' Donolato), Appiah. Subs: Lorenzi; Tateo, Minnei, Zanisi. Coach: Zago.
SASSUOLO (4-3-1-2): Di Nallo; Venturelli (68' Randazzo), Petrillo, Stankova (118' Picchirallo), Vargová (68' Guglielmini); Poje Mihelič, Guerzoni (78' Tonali), Sciabica; Perselli (55' Hoxhaj); Girotto, Bertola (46' Pede). Subs: Tortora; Dubravica, Milani. Coach: Balugani.
Referee: Maresca from Naples.
Goals: 17' Appiah (M), 76' Girotto (S), 114' Mikulica (M), 117' Stokić (M).
Booked: 48' Cesarini (M), 60' Sorelli (M), 112' Arrigoni (M).
Notes: 92' Di Nallo (S) saves Cesarini (M) penalty.
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