A STUBBORN BUT DEFEATED ROSSONERE: 5-4 CLUB AMÉRICA

On a night that didn't favour the Italians, AC Milan's Women's Cup 2022 will go down in the archives. The Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville hosted the Rossonere's final match in the American tournament, in the final for third place: unfortunately, the final place on the podium went to Club América in a contest, or rather a rollercoaster, of nine goals in total (4-5). Emotions were running high and reaching their limit: the Rossonere initially came from behind, finishing the first half in front, but they then fell to the opponent's comeback, producing a magnificent 4-4 scoreline in normal-time. As the game entered injury-time however, and a penalty shoot-out seemed certain, A. González's goal (a hat-trick) put the game to bed.

The Mexicans, objectively in better condition, came out as winners, but Ganz's team nevertheless showed important signs: unity, desire, fight, and the ability to keep going til the end. The goals from Tucceri Cimini, Bergamaschi, Thomas and Piemonte were especially notable. The US tour has produced some bittersweet results, the main positive one being that Milan took on a new and unique experience, going toe-to-toe with international opponents. This progress puts them in a good position ahead of the start of the league and therefore of the official season scheduled for Sunday 28 August at 17.30 (Milan-Fiorentina).

MATCH REPORT

Club América opened the scoring in the 3rd minute: M. Hernandez picked up a loose ball and crossed one in for Martínez, who put one past Giuliani. Milan did not sit back though, coming close to equalising in the 7th minute, when Asllani passed to Bergamaschi whose shot hit the post. Two chances came in the 10th minute, the first for Rubio Avila and then for Tucceri Cimini, but in both cases they missed the target. At the half-hour mark, before the early substitution of Soffia for Thrige, there were chances at each end for M. Hernandez and Bergamaschi respectively, but the goalkeepers did well in coming out. In the 39th minute Tucceri Cimini found the equaliser- needless to say - from her favourite spot: a perfect free-kick into the top corner. The Rossonere took the lead soon after in the 45th minute, Linda again getting involved - after Soffia's cross - with a left-footed shot which deflected off captain Bergamaschi. A goal ahead, they put the pressure on their opponents even if just for a few seconds before the break.

The second half began an hour and a half late due to a weather warning, and took about ten minutes of warming up to find its rhythm but then off they went. The Mexicans were better from the start. In the 58th minute they levelled the score through Palacios, thanks to a deflection off Mesjasz. The Diavolo, who tried and tried to no avail going forward, lost momentum as Soffia's header and Tucceri Cimini's free-kick both missed the target,  and they seemed to lose hope. To make matters worse A. González netted twice in the space of sixty seconds (74' and 75'), from a quality free-kick to a clever close-range effort to beat Babb. But our girls never gave up: Thomas's goal in the 85th minute which flew past Masciarelli to finish a harmonious attack, closed the gap; Piemonte's goal in the 89th minute, headed in from a perfect cross by Tucceri Cimini, gave them hope. But it was all in vain as, in the 92nd minute, the bitter ending came in the form of A. González's hat-trick: assisted again by M. Hernandez, making the score 5-4. The full-time whistle was all that remained.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 4-5 CLUB AMÉRICA

AC MILAN (3-4-2-1): Giuliani (64' Babb); Mesjasz, Fusetti, Carage (85' Vigilucci); Thrige (33' Soffia), K. Dubcová, Rubio Avila, Tucceri Cimini; Thomas, Bergamaschi (46' Piemonte); Asllani (85' M. Dubcová). Subs: Beka; Árnadóttir, Guagni; Adami. Coach: Ganz.

CLUB AMÉRICA (3-5-2): Masciarelli; Orejel (46' Kaci), Farias, Valera; N. Hernandez (46' Palacios), Murrillo (46' Luna), E. González (71' Cuevas), Pelayo-Bernal (46' Camberos), Godinez (37' Enciso); M. Hernandez, Martínez (46' A. González). Subs: Rodriguez; Soto. Coach: Villacampa.

Goals: 3' Martínez (CA), 39' Tucceri Cimini (M), 45' Bergamaschi (M), 58' Palacios (CA), 73', 74' e 90+2' A. González (CA), 80' Thomas (M), 89' Piemonte (M).
Bookings: 50' Carage (M), 72' Fusetti (M), 80' Camberos (CA), 82' Valera (CA).

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