The AC Milan Women beat S.S. Lazio by a score of 3-1 on Saturday in a hard fought win that gives the Rossonere three vital points to keep apace in the race for Champions League qualification.
Here’s a summary of how it happened…
The line-ups
AC Milan (3-4-3): Giuliani; Codina, Agard, Fusetti; Guagni (86′ Stapelfeldt), Jane, Grimshaw, Tucceri Cimini (53′ Thrige); Thomas (73′ Longo), Piemonte, Bergamaschi
Lazio (4-4-2): Öhrström; Labate (67′ Pezzotti), Fordos, Groff, Visentin; Ferrandi (70′ Di Giammarino), Cuschieri, Castiello, Heroum; Fridlund (87′ Vigilucci), Pittaccio
The match
The Rossonere initially dominated the opening stages of the game. However, they were caught out of possession just once and it lead to Lazio’s Noemi Visentin breaking free and scoring on a counter-attack (7’).
Milan tried to respond immediately and began to create chances, with captain Bergamaschi heading one chance over and Thomas’ strike hitting the post. After a slew of missed opportunities, the equalizer came in the 39th minute as Piemonte latched onto Guagni’s ball and headed the ball past Stephanie Öhrström.
After the two teams went to halftime on equal terms, the Rossonere’s desire to win the match took over them. Refiloe Jane nearly came close to doubling the lead in the 64th minute but was denied by the previously mentioned Öhrström.
In the 82nd minute, Bergamaschi put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for a foul on the opposition’s goalkeeper. Milan pushed forward and finally took the lead in the 89th minute, when super sub Nina Stapelfeldt came on and headed home Piemonte’s cross.
In the dying moments of the game, Sara Thrige added a third goal with 90+4′ on the clock. The Dane had three assists during their previous match against Sampdoria and continued their fine form by capping off this match with a goal.
Laia Codina also celebrated the win by pulling up her jersey and revealing a shirt that had a special dedication to her mother, Nuria. It was a very sweet and fitting way to cap off the victory.
The stats
To no one’s surprise, Milan dominated this match. The team had 69.7% of possession compared to Lazio’s 30.4%. The Rossonere also had 22 shots compared to Lazio’s eight. Nine of those shots were in the penalty area. The only area where the team truly faltered was in terms of finishing, as the team needs to be much more clinical in front of goal.
⚽️ Successo in rimonta del @acmilan! ❤🖤 #MilanLazio 3️⃣-1️⃣#SerieAFemminile @TIM_vision pic.twitter.com/A1AD82CmKC
— FIGC Calcio Femminile (@FIGCfemminile) February 5, 2022
Up next
The AC Milan Women will play the second leg of their Coppa Italia qualifier against Sampdoria, having won comfortably in the first leg. The match will be played this Saturday at the Vismara and kickoff time will be at 14:30 CET.
Afterward, Serie A Femminile will go on hiatus for the international break. The Milan players will be summoned by their respective countries to play in qualifiers or international friendlies, including for games in the Algarve Cup, and the She Believes Cup.
The league will resume play the weekend of February 26th. Milan will play Sassuolo that Saturday and kickoff time will be at 14:30 CET.
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