THE ROSSONERE CAN'T GET PAST SASSUOLO: 0-0

The Rossonere just weren't quite clinical enough to get past Sassuolo. It ended 0-0 at the Ricci, despite AC Milan having dominated for large tracts of the match following Orsi's sending off in the 14th minute. In the over 75 minutes with a player extra, there were plenty of chances to score and as many stunning stops from Lemey to keep the Rossonere out. Giuliani, meanwhile, was rarely called into action, a testament to the Rossonere's dominance.

It's a shame, then, because a win would have been seen the Rossonere draw closer to second place and put themselves back in contention for Women's Champions League qualification. The sourest note from the game was the injury to Alia Guagni after just twelve minutes played, which forced her off the pitch. AC Milan are back in action in the league on Sunday 6 March when they host Napoli at Vismara: the fight for second place continues.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM SASSUOLO V AC MILAN

REPORT
The first possible turning point of the game came in the 14th minute when Orsi brought down Lindsey Thomas on the edge of the box and was shown a red card. It was a tight and tense affair in the first half and five bookings were meted out before the break. Chances were few and far between but the excitement spiked as the half wore to a close: in the 36th minute, Giuliani dealt with Dubcova's short-range header with no great difficulty. Between the 41st and 45th minute, Lemey produced two decisive stops, both to deny Christy Grimshaw.

The start of the second half wasn't played at the highest tempo and the Rossonere had to first scramble back to deal with Dubcova's effort before getting on the front foot themselves. The chances flowed for Grimshaw, who had three opportunities in just a few minutes: she had a shot blocked (68'), then sent her effort over (74'), before being denied by an onrushing Lemey (76'). In the 82nd minute, Lemey made yet another save, this time to keep out Lindsey Thomas. That was the final murmur of the game, which ended goalless.

MATCH DETAILS

SASSUOLO 0-0 AC MILAN

SASSUOLO (3-5-2): Lemey; Orsi, Dongus, Filangeri; Santoro, Pondini (90' Ferrato), Mihashi, Philtjens; Bugeja (56' Parisi), Clelland (78' Brignoli), Dubcova. Subs.: Mak, Micheli, Lauria, Pellinghelli, Iriguchi, Cambiaghi. Coach: Piovani.

AC MILAN (3-4-3): Giuliani; Fusetti, Agard, Codina; Guagni (12' Jane), Grimshaw, Adami (84' Boureille), Tucceri Cimini; Thomas, Stapelfeldt (84' Árnadóttir), Bergamaschi. Subs.: Alberti, Babb; Boureille, Morleo; Cortesi, Longo, Miotto. Coach: Ganz. 

Referee: Scarpa di Collegno.
Bookings: 5' Thomas (M), 22' Dongus (S), 26' Jane (M), 38' Tucceri Cimini (M), 40' Filangeri (S).
Red card: 14' Orsi (S).

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