ROSSONERE BOW OUT OF THE SERIE A WOMEN'S CUP
Women
AC Milan's Serie A Women's Cup campaign ended in the group stage as Juventus prevailed in the decisive meeting in Biella, winning 1-0 to reach the semi-finals. The scoreline was harsh on the Rossonere, who had created the better chances before Capeta's decisive goal (78'), particularly during the opening 45 minutes. Only a string of outstanding saves from Rusek prevented them from taking a lead into the break after an energetic and enterprising first-half display.
Knowing that only a win would be enough to progress, AC Milan went on the attack but could not find the goal they needed, with the intense heat and several absentees undoubtedly having an impact (Soffia was suspended, while Arrigoni, Gemmi and Koivisto were unavailable through injury). Looking at a highly competitive group stage as a whole, there were nevertheless plenty of positives for Coach Bakker to take as preparations continue for the league opener away to newly promoted Como 1907 at the end of the month. Come on, girls!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM JUVENTUS v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
The match began at a lively pace in Biella. Serturini and Carbonell registered the first attempts, neither of which troubled Estévez, before AC Milan threatened through Stokić (10'). The first two clear-cut chances, however, fell to Bakker’s side. Kyvåg struck right-footed from the edge of the box (20'), forcing Rusek into an excellent save with her feet, before a Rossonere counterattack ended with Kanutte unleashing a powerful left-footed effort that drew another fine stop from the Juventus goalkeeper (23'). The tempo dropped following the cooling break. During the remainder of the first half, Rusek dealt with a long-range right-footed effort from Stokić before Nevado, making her first start, burst forward and forced the goalkeeper into another superb save (37'). From the resulting corner, Piga tried her luck on the turn but failed to find the target.
The intense heat and a delayed restart, designed to keep the match in sync with the other group fixture, contributed to a quiet opening to the second half. Nevado (47'), Grimshaw (50') and Keijzer (58') were unable to make their opportunities count, while Estévez gathered Schatzer’s low effort from distance at the second attempt (62'). Both coaches turned to their benches in an attempt to shift the momentum, and it was substitute Capeta who put Juventus ahead (78'). After a counterattack, the Portuguese forward followed up to score after Estévez had saved her initial effort. Park and Sesay were introduced late as the Rossonere searched for a way back into the game, but the scoreline remained unchanged. The Korean came close after bursting forward and shooting with her left foot, but after six minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle confirmed a 1-0 Juventus victory.
POST-MATCH STATEMENT
Suzanne Bakker reflected after the final whistle: "I thought we played very well in the first half and created several chances. We did less in the second, and once they scored, we needed two goals to qualify, which made things very difficult. In big matches like this one, it's important to take your chances. However, we created more than they did, and I’m proud of our performance and the opportunities we produced. Their goal came on the counter following one of our corners. I believe that if you keep creating chances, the goals will come. We just need to continue playing this way. We're on the right track and need to remain committed to our plan. It's a process: the players work hard every day, and that showed on the pitch today. Compared to two weeks ago, we’re a completely different AC Milan. We want our fans to see a brave, aggressive team that creates chances and scores goals."
MATCH DETAILS
JUVENTUS 1-0 AC MILAN
JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Rusek; Lenzini, Rosucci, Salvai; Pinto (83' Khelifi), Schatzer, Pavan (46' Godø), Carbonell; Chiba (72' Noordman), Redondo (72' Capeta), Serturini (59' Mece). Subs: De Jong, Mallardi; D'Auria, Sylla; Viljamaa. Coach: Guerrero.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Estévez; Keijzer, Sorelli, Piga (79' Sesay), Nevado; Kamczyk, Mascarello (79' Park), Grimshaw; Kyvåg (71' Renzotti), Kanutte, Stokić. Subs: Kryukova, Rainey; Bonanomi, De Sanders. Coach: Bakker.
Referee: Restaldo from Ivrea.
Goal: 78' Capeta (J).
Booked: 33' Kamczyk (M), 75' Piga (M).
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