ASLLANI SENDS AC MILAN INTO THE SEMI-FINALS

The Rossonere are through. It ended 1-1 at the PUMA House of Football in the second leg of the Coppa Italia 2022/23 quarter-final. A draw today was enough to send Ganz's girls through to the semis after AC Milan won 2-1 at Sesto Fiorentino in the first leg. Asllani handed the Rossonere the lead from the penalty spot before Hammarlund equalised on the day just before the whistle blew to signal the end of a very even first 45 minutes. The second half was a much quieter affair as neither team created many chances and the Rossonere dictated possession and took few risks.

Coach Ganz went with ten of the eleven that started in the win over Juventus in the last round of league matches, with the only change being the return of Selena Babb in goal. The Rossonere's shot-stopper proved decisive too, making a raft of good saves, including one deep into injury time. Among the many positive notes today was a return to the scoresheet for Kosovare Asllani - who was not fully fit and didn't play the full 90 - and also a solid display at the back. There have certainly been plenty of promising signs over the Rossonere's last two outings and the aim at this point of the season is to do as well as possible in the two competitions, in which they are still competing. Roma await the Rossonere in the semi-final, having eliminated Pomigliano.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v FIORENTINA

MATCH REPORT
AC Milan were the first to threaten as, in the third minute, Thomas hit the bar and Asllani sent the rebound wide on the volley. Neither side really started the game with any great tempo and chances were few and far between. The Viola then began to up the ante and twice went close; first, Zamanian's effort was saved by Babb (18'), and then Longo sent her effort over the crossbar following a Fiorentina breakaway. The Rossonere opened the scoring on the half-hour mark: Piemonte sent her shot goalwards but it struck the arm of Agard, penalty to AC Milan. Asllani made no mistakes from the spot, sending Baldi the wrong way to make it 1-0 (31'). The guests drew level late in the first half; Babb made the initial save to deny Longo but Hammarlund headed home the rebound, 1-1 at the break. 

Fiorentina started the second half brightly; in the 47th minute, Kajan cut inside and fired towards goal with her left - over the bar. After that scare, the pace of the game slowed down dramatically as the Rossonere looked to defend their aggregate lead. They didn't just sit back though and, in the 62nd minute, Grimshaw found Thomas, who whipped the ball in for Piemonte to tap in, but Baldi and Cafferata managed to clear the ball before it arrived at Martina's feet. The away side looked to hit back as Hammarlund headed wide (68'). In the 72nd minute, Grimshaw played it into Piemonte, who sent her headed effort wide of the mark. The Scot was involved again two minutes later as she broke into the box and fired just wide of the near post. Fiorentina had a big chance deep into injury time: Kajan drove forward and found herself one-on-one with Babb, who stared down the Viola forward and made a massive save. It ended 1-1 and the Rossonere went through to the semi-finals.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-1 FIORENTINA

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Babb; Árnadóttir, Mesjasz, Nouwen, Bergamaschi; Grimshaw, Mascarello (65' Adami), K. Dubcová (86' Vigilucci); Thomas, Piemonte, Asllani (46' Thrige). Subs: Fedele, Giuliani; Carage, Fusetti, Guagni, Soffia. Coach: Ganz.

FIORENTINA (4-4-2): Baldi; Cafferata (84' Monnecchi), Tortelli, Agard, Tucceri Cimini; Jóhannsdóttir, Zamanian (84' Severini), Parisi (69' Mijatović), Kajan; Hammarlund, Longo. Subs: Schroffenegger; Breitner, Eržen, Jackmon, Vitale; Vero. Coach: Panico. 

Referee: Di Marco from Ciampino.
Goals: 31' pen. Asllani (M), 45' Hammarlund (F).
Booked: 30' Agard (F), 42' Longo (F), 67' K. Dubcová (M), 67' Panico (F), 75' Bergamaschi (M), 85' Severini (F).

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