ROSSONERE FALL TO AN UNLUCKY DEFEAT

The Rossonere’s first match of 2024 finished in a 2-1 away defeat to Juventus on matchday 12 in the women’s Serie A division. Despite an encouraging performance from Corti’s side, they ultimately weren’t rewarded for their efforts. AC Milan certainly had their chances - especially in the first half - and things could have gone differently if the team had been a bit more clinical. After falling behind to Bonansea’s early opener, the Rossonere were able to respond through Stašková (her second goal of the season), but a great goal from Cantore shortly after the restart ended up deciding the contest at the Pozzo.

Juventus thus emerged victorious over our girls, who, however, deserved more from the game. Despite several absences, AC Milan produced one of their best displays of the season against a team on a high following their Supercoppa Italiana triumph against table-topping Roma. However, the Rossonere now need to quickly move on, build on the positives and try to turn their form around. Next up in the league is home match against Como Women on Monday 22 January, but, before that, a Coppa Italia quarter-final first-leg clash away to Sassuolo awaits at 15:00 CET this coming Thursday.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM JUVENTUS v AC MILAN

MATCH REPORT
The match was a lively affair right from the get-go. Asllani tested Peyraud-Magnin with a left-footed curler in the sixth minute, while Giuliani was alert to save a right-footed volley from Gunnarsdóttir after twelve minutes. Laurent had a go with a first-time attempt following a mistake by Cascarino, but the Bianconere goalkeeper managed to keep it out (17’). Juventus then opened the scoring through Bonansea from a corner on the 25-minute mark. However, AC Milan weren’t about to give up and came close to a 28th-minute equaliser, with Stašková just failing to connect with a low Laurent cross from close range. The Czech striker made amends shortly afterwards as she converted Grimshaw’s assist and made it 1-1 from inside the six-yard box. Having deservedly drawn level, AC Milan kept on pushing forward and almost took the lead through Stašková at the end of a really promising first half.

The second half kicked off and another opportunity fell the way of Stašková, who fired just wide of the far post with her right foot (47’). The hosts responded with a goal after 52 minutes: Cantore received the ball on the left and beat Giuliani with an unstoppable curling right-footed strike. AC Milan tried to react, but, compared to the first half, the Bianconere were allowing them less space. Grimshaw tried her luck (71’) and so did Asllani (78’), but nothing came of their efforts. The two teams became a bit more stretched and Corti’s side continued to put in the hard work, but a bit of fortune was missing. In the final chance of the match, Cantore missed the target on the counter. It finished 2-1 to the hosts.

MATCH DETAILS

JUVENTUS 2-1 AC MILAN 

JUVENTUS (4-2-3-1): Peyraud-Magnin; Lenzini, Salvai, Cascarino, Boattin; Caruso, Gunnarsdóttir; Bonansea, Garbino (88' Echegini), Thomas (74' Girelli); Cantore. Subs: Aprile; Cafferata, Gama, Slišković; Bellucci, Grosso; Bragonzi. Coach: Montemurro.

AC MILAN (4-3-3): Giuliani; Guagni, Swaby, Piga, Bergamaschi; Vigilucci (84' Rubio), Cernoia, Grimshaw; Laurent, Stašková (63' Dompig), Asllani. Subs: Babb; Fusetti, Soffia; Dubcová, Mascarello; Arrigoni, Marinelli. Coach: Corti.

Referee: Maccarini from Arezzo.
Goals: 25' Bonansea (J), 31' Stašková (M), 52' Cantore (J).
Booked: 61' Cernoia (M), 76' Laurent (M), 79' Lenzini (J).

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