Maurizio Ganz's AC Milan side did what they needed to do: the team picked up three points away to Hellas in Verona today. The decisive goal was scored by Valentina Giacinti, who did well to divert the ball into the net following Bergamaschi's cross from the right flank at the start of the second half. This was a very important win after the side's defeat to Florentia last time out in the league. It's a result which allows AC Milan Women to consolidate their position in the upper reaches of the table: the team now sit on 20 points having played a game less (a home match against Pink Bari) than their rivals. The Women's Serie A will now take a break: the Rossonere will return to action on 11 January, when they'll face Empoli at Vismara.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM HELLAS VERONA V AC MILAN
REPORT
After the Rossonere's Derby win in the Coppa Italia, Coach Ganz once again started Miriam Longo up front alongside Lady Andrade and Valentina Giacinti. And the 19-year-old almost opened the scoring early on, but an outrushing Forcinella managed to deny her. AC Milan were taking the game to the hosts and creating a lot of opportunities. In the 20th minute, Lady Andrade got on the end of Hovland's cross and rattled the bar with a volley. Carissimi picked out Longo a minute later, but the latter's close-range right-footed effort finished over the bar. On the half-hour mark, Valentina Giacinti shot inches wide as the Rossonere continued to press. The goal finally arrived five minutes into the second half, and it came through the captain: AC Milan's number nine finished off Bergamaschi's cross to give Ganz's girls the lead. In the 61st minute, Giacinti threatened but couldn't quite make it 2-0. With 72 minutes on the clock, Lady Andrade was unable to net on the rebound following a save from Forcinella. The Rossonere continued to control matters and were unlucky not to double their lead as Hovland's header struck the woodwork. As the match was drawing to a close, Hellas pushed forward in numbers and risked being caught on the counter, but no further goals were scored.
MATCH SUMMARY
HELLAS VERONA 0-1 AC MILAN
HELLAS VERONA (3-4-3): Forcinella, Ledri, Solow, Bardin (68' Pirone), Sardu, Cantore, Meneghini, Glionna, Mella (89' Pasini), Lazzari (60' Baldi), Zanoletti. Substitutes: Gritti, Perin, Motta, Cavalca, Ambrosi, Salimbeni. Coach: Bonazzoli.
AC MILAN (4-3-3): Korenciova; Bergamaschi, Hovland, Fusetti, Tucceri Cimini; Carissimi, Jane, Čonč (81' Tamborini); Longo (71' Žigić), Giacinti, Lady Andrade (76' Heroum). Substitutes: Piazza, Mendes, Kuliš, Capelli, Vitale, Mauri. Coach: Ganz.
Referee: Tesi from Lucca.
Goal: 50' Giacinti (M).
Send off: 96' Zanoletti (H).
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