ROSSONERE FAST AND SOLID: 1-0 AT SASSUOLO

Three golden points and a clean sheet: AC Milan Women's year could not have ended with a better result, as they won at Sassuolo for the first time in their history and secured their position among the top five in the table. The winner at the Enzo Ricci was an immediate goal - after just 38 seconds - from Kosovare Asllani, who scored her seventh of the season from a great assist from Marta Mascarello. Another positive was the defensive performance, keeping a clean sheet for the first time since 24 September and leaving very little opportunity for the Neroverdi's attack.

The only blemish in a really positive afternoon was the injury, in the first minutes of the second half, to Christy Grimshaw: the Scottish midfielder sprained her ankle. an injury that will be re-evaluated in the next hours. Other than that there was only good news for AC Milan, who end 2022 with their second consecutive away win (after the 6-1 victory over Fiorentina). And they will start the new year away from home, with the Coppa Italia game at Serie B leaders Lazio on Sunday 8 January; the first league fixture of 2023, however, will be at home the following weekend against Parma.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
The back four was confirmed with the return of Guagni and Soffia from the first minute, as AC Milan took the lead after just 38 seconds: Mascarello's cross for Asllani. The goal for the Rossonere's number 9 inevitably changed the match, with AC Milan alternating phases of prolonged possession with defensive solidity in which they didn't concede to Sassuolo's attack. The first half slipped by without any big chances worthy of note until the dying minutes, with one attempt for each side. First the Neroverdi went close, with a right-footed shot from the edge by Goldoni that was deflected for a corner. The Rossonere's replied with a beautiful assist by Bergamaschi for Piemonte: Martina's left-footed shot ended up in the side-netting.

The second half began with bad news for the Rossonere: an injury to Christy Grimshaw, who sprained her left ankle trying to recover a ball in midfield. Sassuolo pushed on in search of an equaliser, generating two chances in the space of a minute with the substitute Monterubbiano: first Giuliani's save, then Asllani's close-range clearance kept the score at 1-0 Rossonere. AC Milan came close to doubling the lead in the 70th minute, when a cross by Soffia hit the crossbar. It was a chance that reinvigorated Ganz's team, who raised their game and pushed forward in search of the second goal. After 78 minutes a cross-shot by substitute Thrige troubled Lonni. Piemonte then hit a powerful right-footer from outside the box. Martina was dangerous in the area with a diagonal shot that went wide with two minutes remaining. In the second half, AC Milan controlled the tempo with authority, and the final whistle confirmed the 1-0 Rossonere victory.

MATCH DETAILS

SASSUOLO 0-1 AC MILAN

SASSUOLO (3-5-2): Lonni; Orsi, Dongus, Pleidrup; Philtjens, Pondini (85' Popadinova), Jane, Brignoli (46' Monterubbiano), Tomaselli (69' Bellucci); Clelland, Goldoni (46' Sciabica). Subs: Lauria; Mella, Da Canal, Tudisco, Nagy. Coach: Piovani.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Giuliani; Árnadóttir, Mesjasz, Fusetti, Bergamaschi; Mascarello (78' Thrige), Grimshaw (52' Adami); Guagni (59' K. Dubcová), Asllani (78' Thomas), Soffia; Piemonte. Subs: Babb, Fedele; Carage; Vigilucci; M. Dubcová. Coach: Ganz.

Referee: Frascaro from Firenze.
Goal: 1' Asllani (M).
Booked: 20' Dongus (S), 28' Asllani (M), 92' Adami (M).

The PUMA AC Milan Kits for the 2022/23 season are available: get yours now!