Serie A Women Athora: the match report of Como Women-Inter

At the “Mino Favini” Stadium in Meda, Como Women faced Inter on Matchday 2 of the Serie A Women Athora. The Nerazzurre secured a 2-0 victory, taking the lead in the second half through Vilhjalmsdottir from the penalty spot before doubling their advantage in the 83rd minute with Bugeja.

The Match Report

Inter created the first chance of the match in the 19th minute. Following a corner, Vilhjalmsdottir played a low ball into the box for Raphino, who turned quickly and fired towards goal, narrowly missing the far post. Three minutes later, Inter threatened again through Glionna, who attempted a curling left-footed effort following a misunderstanding between Gilardi and the Como Women defence.

Como Women created their first opportunity in the 35th minute. Following a free-kick, Simonetti found Nesbeth, who tried a low shot from distance. The effort was deflected by Borbye inside the box and comfortably saved by the Inter goalkeeper. In the 41st minute, Inter moved forward again as Raphino anticipated the Como Women defence on a cross from the left and attempted a header. Howard was alert and turned the ball behind for a corner. In added time, Como Women had another opportunity through Simonetti, who took a free-kick from the edge of the box, but her effort went over the crossbar. The first half ended 0-0.

The second half began with another chance for Inter. In the 57th minute, Brittany Raphino received the ball on the right side of the box and fired a right-footed shot towards the bottom corner, but Gilardi was alert and made the save. Two minutes later, in the 59th minute, the referee awarded Inter a penalty for a handball by Bernardi inside the box. Following a review at the monitor using the FVS, the decision was confirmed. Vilhjalmsdottir stepped up from the spot and, in the 63rd minute, sent Gilardi the wrong way to give Inter a 1-0 lead. Como Women immediately looked for a response. In the 65th minute, Simonetti tried her luck from around 25 metres out, but her effort went wide. Four minutes later, Simonetti went close again from distance, this time seeing her shot deflected behind for a corner by the Inter defence. In the 75th minute, Inter requested an FVS review for a suspected handball by Borbye. The referee went to the monitor and, following the review, confirmed the decision: another penalty for the visitors. Vilhjalmsdottir stepped up again, but this time Gilardi produced an excellent save to deny her a second goal and keep the score at 1-0. In the 79th minute, Inter threatened again through Haley Bugeja, who received the ball in a very central position close to goal and fired a left-footed effort towards the crossbar. Gilardi was once again alert and managed to make the save. In the 83rd minute, however, Inter doubled their lead. Glionna played Bugeja through on goal, and the Nerazzurra entered the box before calmly finding the bottom corner with a precise low finish, leaving Gilardi with no chance. Como Women pushed forward in the closing stages in an attempt to get back into the match, but were unable to find a way through. The final whistle confirmed a 2-0 victory for Inter.

Como Women’s next fixture will be on Saturday, 17 October at 3:00 PM, when Paolo Tramezzani’s side welcome Fiorentina to the Mino Favini Stadium in Meda for Matchday 3 of the Serie A Women Athora.

Match Summary

Como Women: 22 Gilardi; 2 Marcussen; 5 Howard, 3 Ronan; 77 Borbye, 20 Simonetti (90’ Chidiac), 17 Vigilucci (77’ Berisha), 6 Bergersen; 9 Bernardi (77’ Zamboni), 12 Nielsen (90’ Moretti),13 Nesbeth. Head Coach: Paolo Tramezzani

Substitutions: 30 Ruma, 32 Babb, 4 Saga, 8 Hubaut, 19 Mas I Serra, 21 Viesti, 24 Bianchi.    

Inter: 1 Runarsdottir; 4 Van Diemen (54’ Bartoli), 24 Milinkovic, 5  Andres Sanz, 14 Robustellini; 18 Glionna, 6 Santi, 8 Vilhjalmsdottir (89’ Giudici), 20 Detruyer (55’ Payne); 9 Polli (54’ Bugeja), 26 Raphino (81’ Cambiaghi). Head Coach: David Sassarini

Substitutions:12 Forcinella, 99 Belli, 2 Kullberg, 16 Tomasevic, 22 Schough, 46 Bressan. 

Scorers: 63’ (R) Vilhjalmsdottir (I), 83’ Bugeja (I) 

Yellow Cards: Gilardi (C)

MVP: Vilhjalmsdottir (I)

Referee and Assistants: Marco Costa, Francesco D’Andria, Fabio Cattaneo, Stefano Laugelli

FVS: Simone Giuseppe Chimento