Match Review: AC Milan Women trounce Inter Milan 4-2

The AC Milan Women beat Inter Milan by a score of 4-2. The Rossonere won their Coppa Italia tie by an aggregate score of 5-4 and got their revenge for their first-leg loss against the Nerazzurre. It was an emphatic win that not only reasserted their dominance in the Derby della Madonnina, but by winning it, they will now play in the Coppa Italia Femminile final for the first time in their history.

Highlights of the match are below.

Match Summary

The first chance of the game came in the second minute as Gloria Marinelli won her duel with Francesca Vitale and ran straight into the box. She then rolled a pass to Caroline Møller Hansen, whose shot was then blocked by Mária Korenčiová.

Around the four-minute mark, Yui Hasegawa’s freekick nearly finds the head of Natasha Dowie. The Englishwoman’s shot, however, was not converted. Francesca Vitale also had the chance to hit it home, but she too missed her shot. Two minutes later Hasegawa herself tries with a long-range shot. Her shot ends up sailing over the bar.

Finally, at the eighth minute, Milan finds the advantage. Yui finds Vero Boquete free in the penalty area and then slides a pass to her. The Galician evaded a string of defenders then scored her first goal of the game.

Nearly a minute later, Milan had the chance to double their lead, but Valentina Bergamaschi’s low cross flew past both Giacinti and Dowie.

Despite this, they would not have to wait long to find their second goal. On a long pass, Dowie passes the ball to Vero, who runs through the middle towards Astrid Gilardi’s goal. Gilardi is helpless as the midfielder outmaneuvers here, and Verónica gets her second goal of the game.

A short time later, Boquete tried to get her hattrick, but her effort sailed over the bar. Linda Tucceri Cimini also tried her luck but came up empty-handed. Inter would try to hit back with two shots from two corners, but both Gloria Marinelli and Yoreli Rincón’s shots failed to find the back of the net

Giacinti tried several times to score but came up short each time. Her first effort came at the 23rd minute but it bounced off the poles. She then tried to score with a one-on-one with Gilardi at the 33rd minute but subsequently lost that duel. The Rossonere skipper did eventually find the back of the net. However, it was eventually ruled as offside.

The second half started rather sluggish for the Rossonere. Inter pressed them frenetically and Milan had a hard time getting back into the game. Inter, on the other hand, did not have the same problem, and at the 60th minute, the talismanic Marinelli would halve the deficit.

The Nerazzurri then tried their hardest to level the score. At the 66th minute, Flaminia Simonetti attempted a shot at the edge of the box. She did not, however, find the back of the net.

And just ten minutes later, Dowie would dash their hopes and dreams with a tap-in goal at the 79th minute, Milan would the lead again thanks to a tap-in. Then at the 86th minute, Dowie would score a diving header from a Bergamaschi cross and double her goal tally. She also made the score 4-1 in favor of the Rossonere.

Inter, however, would not go down fighting. Caroline Møller Hansen would halve the deficit in the first minute of injury time. However, it’s too little, too late.Inter, however, would not go down fighting. Caroline Møller Hansen would halve the deficit in the first minute of injury time. However, it’s too little, too late.

In the end, Milan would end up the victors of this match.

Vero’s (Em)brace

Remember when we were the first site to write about Vero coming to Milan in English? And more specifically, remember when I wouldn’t stop talking about her? Well, there was a reason why I wanted her to come to Milan so badly and this weekend, she showed us just why she’s such a blessing to the team.

I once wrote over 3,000 words explaining why she’s one of the greatest players of all time and on Saturday, she completely justified those words.

We got to see Vero score not one, but two goals, and best of all, we got to see her El Pulpo celebration too.

And in one match, she’s scored twice as many goals for Milan than she did during her time with the Utah Royals.

Let’s take this as a sign that she’s taken well to the Rossonere and might want to stay.

And more importantly, let’s take the time to thank her for these goals, and for being the undisputed MVP of the match.

Korenčiová is A Hero

Mária Korenčiová was recently named the Slovakian player of the year and with good reason. During the match against Inter, she demonstrated just why with fantastic saves such as this one.

Milan are very fortunate to have her in goal for us.

Dowie’s Double

Just as the Milanisti were starting to panic as Inter was attempting a comeback, Natasha Dowie puts them to the sword.

And with her double, Dowie sealed the deal for the Rossonere.

Honorable Mention

A special shoutout goes to Yui Hasegawa for the way she played during this match. She carved out the assist for Vero’s first goal. She is an excellent dribbler and a great dead ball specialist with solid fundamentals.

Milan are a much better team with her in the squad.

The Stats

Not surprisingly, Milan dominated this game and the stats prove it. They had 61% possession and peppered Inter’s goal with thirteen shots.

They also had two corners and two yellow cards, with Valentina Giacinti on the receiving end of one after a feisty encounter with Gloria Marinelli.

I don’t know about you, but I think Valentina could take Gloria in a fistfight (just like she took this game too).

Up next

The AC Milan Women will play AS Roma on May 30th. AS Roma won their encounter against Juventus in a thriller that ended 3-2 with Roma progressing on away goals.

Before then, they’ll meet them in the league. They’ll play each other next Saturday at 15:00 CET (6 am PST / 9 am EST).

The match will no doubt, be a precursor to the Coppa Italia final.

Now, be sure to tune in next week to see how our intrepid heroines will win this match and tune in at the same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel.