The AC Milan Women got another important, hard-fought and deserved point at the PUMA House of Football, drawing 2-2 with Juventus.
After a 0-0 away against Fiorentina to begin the play-off round, the Rossonere showed desire, sacrifice and heart to hold Juventus to a 2-2 draw, the team that had dominated the league and actually beat Milan 6-0 a few weeks ago.
Dompig’s penalty opened the scoring in the first half, but then Beccari and Girelli scored for the away side in the second half. The drama was not done though, as Karczewska’s goal in the 90th minute secured a late point.
Coach Suzanne Bakker deserves a lot of credit dared to opt for a purely attacking line-up in the final minutes to try and deliver a late sting, which her size were able to do.
Milan climb to 27 points in the standings, remaining in 5th place and closing in on Fiorentina (-2). Next weekend, Sunday 16 March at 13:30 CET, there is the derby away against Inter. In the meantime, check out the best casinos in Italy.
Coach’s comments
Speaking to the media after the game, the coach Bakker gave her thoughts on what was a rollercoaster afternoon with a happy ending.
“From the beginning we believed we could compete with them, a very strong team that is leading the league with a big advantage over the others.
“We played very well in the first half and went into half-time with the lead, in the second half we dropped back a bit, but after they were 2-1 we went all-in, ‘all or nothing’. We brought the ball into their area and we deserved the 2-2 and we are very happy with this point earned.
“There have been many games in the league where we had to come back as an experienced team and the players who came in have always brought us new energy. Today Nikola [Karczewska] scored the second goal, and I am really satisfied with her performance.
“It is a great quality of hers, when she comes in something always happens: you line up with two strikers, she is tall, she is strong, she wants to score and she did it.”
Match details
AC Milan (4-3-3): Giuliani; Koivisto, Sorelli (83′ Laurent), Piga, Vigilucci (88′ Soffia); Cernoia, Mascarello (89′ Nadim), Arrigoni; Renzotti (83′ Karczewska), Ijeh, Dompig (75′ Stokić).
Subs: Fedele, Tornaghi; Mesjasz; Ávila, Cesarini; Appiah, Marinelli. Coach: Bakker.
Juventus (3-4-3): Peyraud-Magnin; Lenzini (75′ Gallo), Kullberg, Harviken; Krumbiegel, Brighton, Bennison (60′ Godø), Bergamaschi (61′ Thomas); Cantore (75′ Rosucci), Girelli, Bonansea (60′ Beccari).
Subs: Capelletti, Proulx; Salvai; Schatzer, Zamboni; Lehmann, Vangsgaard. Coach: Canzi.
Referee: Bozzetto from Bergamo.
Goals: 19′ pen. Dompig (M), 63′ Beccari (J), 72′ Girelli (J), 90′ Karczewska (M).
Booked: 18′ Harviken (J).
