RUNNERS‑UP IN THE VIAREGGIO CUP: JUVE WIN 2‑0
Youth Teams
The Viareggio Women's Cup final ended in defeat. AC Milan, after wins throughout the tournament, didn't manage to win their third consecutive title against Juventus. The 2-0 only tells a part of the story of a match that was in large parts held up by the Bianconere's deep line that limited Zago's girls to keeping the ball in midfield without finding the final ball. Appiah's presence - now a firmly established player - didn't give AC Milan enough energy and they were lacking conviction in their chances.
Juventus were both solid and ruthless: a goal in each half. The first goal was in the 9th minute which came from a close-range rebound, forcing the Rossonere to find a way back in it. The second goal came in the 63rd minute, through Vitale's unlucky own goal. Di Falco alone, substituted for the lacklustre Appiah, tried to get AC Milan's attack moving but there was always a Juve defender in the way. In the end, Juventus were celebrating after the final whistle. We will head back to Milan with a run of great performances throughout the tournament, knowing that that we gave our all and that Viola Minnei will receive the top-scorer award, with four goals.
TAKE A LOOK: MILAN v JUVENTUS PHOTO GALLERY
THE BREAKDOWN
The match got going right away and Juventus got ahead in the 9th minute: the cross from the right got cleared, but not far enough away, and the ball found Copelli who beat Tornaghi with a precise finish. The Bianconere continued to push at the start of the first half, but they couldn't double their lead. They got close in the 18th minute with Santarella's lob which seemed destined to go in, but it was cleared away. Then AC Milan fought back: De Marco hit the bar directly from a corner in the 28th minute before Zago's girls kept pushing, getting three attempts on goal, but without enough pace and precision. The first half ended 1-0 to our opposition after one minute of added time.
In the second half, AC Milan started on the attacking foot and in the 50th minute, Appiah wasn't able to convert a well-delivered corner. There was then a set of changes including Appiah's substitution. But it was Juventus who got on the score sheet again in the 63rd minute, making it 2-0: Copelli's through ball found Tosello, the ball was driven hard into the area but it deflected off of Vitale into the back of her own net. Despite AC Milan having most of the ball, Juventus were making the more dangerous chances. In the 70th minute, Copelli had a good run on the right, she then cut inside and shot: off the post. The game died down and AC Milan couldn't threaten any longer. Juventus won 2-0.
THE SUMMARY
AC MILAN 0-2 JUVENTUS
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Tornaghi; Pomati, Zapelli, Zanisi, Donolato; Vitale, De Marco; Taddei (46' Minnei), Appiah (51' Di Falco), Rossi (62'st Montaperto); Longobardi. Bench: Belloli, Lorenzi; Peres, Bonanomi, Abbatangelo, Carotenuto, Tomaselli. Manager: Zago.
JUVENTUS (3-4-2-1): Mallardi; Cocino (55' Bertero), Bertora, Rosso (46' Davico); Casella, Tosello (65' Flis), Termentini (75' Piccardi), Enriconi (46' Bianchi); Zamboni (55' Piermarini), Copelli; Santarella (65' Ferraresi). Bench: Sossai, Martinazzi; Brunetti, Ciccarelli, Massa Boa, Djesse, Rivieri, Di Bello. Manager: Bruzzano.
Referee: Bianchi di Prato
Goals: 9' Copelli (J), 63' OG. Vitale (J).
Cautions: 18' Pomati (M), 91' Zapelli (M).
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