ROSSONERE LET LEAD SLIP AGAINST FIORENTINA

It ended 3-3 on matchday 2 in the Championship Round of Women's Serie A. Maurizio Ganz's AC Milan conceded a stoppage-time equaliser to Fiorentina as they drew level on 35 points with Inter, though the Nerazzurre still have a game in hand. The Rossonere twice took the lead in the driving rain at the PUMA House of Football but it wasn't enough to get back to winning ways in the league as the hosts drew level from the penalty spot deep into injury time.

The Rossonere took a two-goal lead inside the first 21 minutes through former Viola player Vigliucci (her third goal of the season) and the returning Asllani (9th league goal). When Piemonte, who has now reached double figures for the first time since 2016/17, put them 3-1 up in the 73rd minute, it seemed done and dusted. As well as the late penalty, the Rossonere were left ruing missed opportunities as both Dubcová and Nouwen hit the crossbar with two efforts that deserved a far better outcome. However, the fixture list offers our girls an immediate chance to pick themselves up as they travel to league-leaders Roma on Saturday 1 April. Forza ragazze!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v FIORENTINA

MATCH REPORT
AC Milan got off to a strong start and opened the scoring in just the fourth minute: a long, patient period of build-up led to Árnadóttir swinging in the cross towards Vigliucci, who swept the ball home. The Rossonere's lead lit up the match and the guests looked to draw level through a Mijatović volley, which went wide (7') before Giuliani was called upon for the first time to deny an onrushing Vero (11'). The intensity increased even in the rain but, in the 21st minute, AC Milan - who were momentarily down to ten players - doubled their lead through Asllani, who stole the ball from Cafferata and stuck it past Baldi. The second goal saw the tempo drop and there were very few chances towards the end of the first half, save for a brilliant stop from Giuliani to deny Kaján (38') and two opportunities for Piemonte (43', 44').

Two changes for AC Milan to start the second half: Thomas for Árnadóttir and Dubcová for Adami. We would also like to extend the Club's best wishes to Tucceri Cimini, who picked up a serious injury. Grimshaw had a go in the 59th minute and Nouwen showed her class in the 62nd minute when she started a counterattack and then got on the end of the cross to head it goalwards - saved by Baldi. The two sides were looking stretched and then, in the 69th minute, Fiorentina halved the deficit from the spot, Vero it was who converted the penalty. AC Milan responded well and Dubvocá's effort was deflected onto the crossbar by Tortelli. The two-goal lead for Milan was then restored by Piemonte, who converted from the spot after a penalty was awarded for a foul on Thomas. The Rossonere nearly made it four in the 79th minute but Nouwen's free-kick rattled the crossbar for a second time. The disappointment came late on: Fiorentina made it 3-2 through Hammarlund in the 88th minute and then equalised five minutes into injury time, again Vero converted from the penalty spot. It ended 3-3.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 3-3 FIORENTINA 

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Árnadóttir (46' Thomas), Fusetti, Nouwen, Thrige (60' Soffia); Vigilucci, Adami (46' K. Dubcová), Grimshaw; Bergamaschi, Piemonte, Asllani (74' Mesjasz). Subs: Babb, Fedele; Bahlouli, Cesarini, Premoli. Coach: Ganz.

FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Baldi; Cafferata (66' Eržen), Tortelli, Agard, Tucceri Cimini (53' Jackmon); Jóhannsdóttir, Severini (80' Breitner); Kaján (54' Hammarlund), Vero, Mijatović (66' Catena); Longo. Subs: Russo, Schfroffenegger; Vitale; Monnecchi. Coach: Panico.

Referee: Scarpa from Collegno.
Goals: 4' Vigilucci (M), 21' Asllani (M), 69' pen. and 90'+5 pen. Vero (F), 73' pen. Piemonte (M), 88' Hammarlund (F).
Booked: 13' Asllani (M), 49' Agard (F), 65' Soffia (M), 76' Severini (F), 77' Catena (F), 87' Giuliani (M), 90'+4 Bergamaschi (M).

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