On an action-packed football match, AC Milan managed to past Internazionale 4-2 thanks to Vero and Dowie, both with a brace. For a football fan, that was a fantastic game, with up and downs for both teams, though, the milanisti had reasons for both joy and worry during the whole 90 minutes.
The rossonere reach the Coppa Italia final for the first time in their history and they face AS Roma after the gialorosse got past Juventus due to the away goal rule (4-4 on aggregate). The fixture will take place on May 30th. It will be the first time since the 2018/2019 season the Italian Cup will have a winner that is not Juventus or Fiorentina.
Here’s some thoughts on this game:
Great players rising to the occasion:
If in Serie A Valentina Giacinti took the responsibility over her shoulders and got a 1-4 comeback win by herself after scoring a poker, this time Vero and Dowie rose to the challenge with perfect timing. The Brit, as we mentioned, had failed to leaver her mark in the competition until last game, when she not only bagged a brace but add an assist to her name. The Spaniard, on the other hand, were still to score her first-ever goal for AC Milan and she did it brilliantly.
Poor game management:
The rossonere dominated the game during the first half, built a 2 goals advantage before the 15 minutes mark on the clock and, understandably, opted to slow down the pace and play it safely. However, there were concentration blackouts and they got caught sleeping a couple of times. Marinelli and Moller, as we were told, do not take it lightly.
Those blackouts seem to be a real problem and Ganz must address to it quickly.
Use of the bench:
Sure, AC Milan Women have, hands down, one of the best team rosters in Italy and, as we could see, they’re capable to get back and their feet in difficult times. However, Ganz’ use of the bench is something worrying so far, as he often choose to make late-game substitutions or, regarding yesterday’s game, none at all. Inter’s second goal, Moller’s goal, was clearly a result of tired legs from both AC Milan defenders and midfielder.
Wing-back action:
Both wing-backs, Tucceri Cimini and Bergamaschi, had solid outings both offensively and defensively yesterday, putting real efforts on man-marking and cutting passing lanes when needed and providing assists to Dowie’s brace in the second half.
Box-to-box Hasegawa
We’ve already talked about Yui’s special skills and technique going forward, but against Internazionale the Japanese international proved herself also very competent at defending. She had a higher percentage of duels won (71,4%) than Jane, Agard, Fusetti, Vitale and Vero, and the same number of interceptions (5) than Jane, who is a proved competent defensive midfielder.
Up next:
Next Serie A weekend reserves another belter of a game as AC Milan travels to faces AS Roma on May 1st, eager to get 3 points more to get closer to mathematically secure the Champions League spot as soon as possible. The Gialorosse, on the other hand, are coming in hot after 3 wins a row against Inter, San Marino and Fiorentina.
