Sassuolo-Como Women: post-match statements

On the team's performance: "We certainly could have done better on the goal we conceded — we gave something away, more due to our own mistakes than to the opponent's quality, without taking anything away from Sassuolo, who played a good game.

That said, I believe we could have been more incisive and clinical in the numerous potentially dangerous situations we created. There is definitely some regret, because the team showed character and determination, pressing high and recovering possession often in the opposition’s half while conceding very little.

It's a shame, because beyond the final episode, the result doesn’t reflect what we saw on the pitch today. But as I always say: in football, the team that wins is always right.”

On the penalty not awarded following FVS intervention: "The footage speaks for itself: it was a shot on target and the opposing player clearly intervened with her arm. It’s hard to understand how, after reviewing the incident, the decision wasn’t made to award the penalty.

In the last two matches, we’ve experienced two different situations that both occurred just meters from goal and both ended up penalizing us — whether by denying us a clear chance to shoot (as was the case with Nischler against Juventus [editor’s note]) or, as today, preventing a goalbound shot from reaching the net. It’s unacceptable that the penalty wasn’t given today.”

On the role of the FVS system – Nicola Verdun, CEO of F.C. Como Women: "Already last Saturday against Juventus, and again today against Sassuolo, we faced situations in which — despite the availability of video footage — evidently clear episodes were not corrected.

The FVS was introduced as a tool to support referees, with the goal of helping them make more accurate decisions, especially in key and high-impact moments. However, our view is that at present, this system is not fully fulfilling the role it was designed for.

Women’s football in Italy is experiencing a significant period of growth, and precisely for this reason, we believe it is essential that greater attention is given to every aspect that ensures fairness, credibility, and continued development."

Astrid Gilardi’s comment

"I believe that, based on what we saw on the pitch and the chances we created, we would have at least deserved a draw. At times, we may have lacked a bit of composure in front of goal, but we’re fully aware of our strength and I’m confident we’ll bounce back in the upcoming matches.

The team’s attitude was spot on — we controlled possession and dictated the tempo for large parts of the game. We’re a strong group, and we’ve already shown that against Juventus and again today. The only thing missing was the goal, but the performance was there, and it gives us confidence moving forward."

Match Summary

Sassuolo:  16 Durand; 21 Nash, 5 Caiazzo, 24 De Rita; 8 Brustia, 14 Hagemann (90’+5 Sabatino), 15 Brignoli (88’ Perselli), 12 Missipo, 27 Santoro (90’+5 Filis); 26 Clelland (73’ Dhont), 90 Eto. Head Coach: Alessandro Spugna

Substitutions: 1 Benz, 4 Fercocq, 17 Greve Chaib, 19 Galabadaarachchi, 29 Poje Mihelic, 33 Pellinghelli, 46 Rossi, 78 De Bona. 

Como Women: 22 Gilardi; 2 Marcussen (62’ Bergersen), 17 Sagen, 5 Howard, 18 Szabò; 28 Madsen (46’ Chidiac), 20 Vaitukaityte (69’ Picchi), 19 Pavan (62’ Kerr); 33 Kramzar; 7 Nischler, 77 Lehmann (62’ Bernardi). Head Coach: Stefano Sottili

Substitutions: 1 Schroffenegger, 14 Cecotti, 30 Ruma.

Scorers: 12’ Eto (Sassuolo) 

Yellow Cards: 81’ Nischler (Como Women), 88’ Durand (Sassuolo)

Red Cards: Davide Borin (Como Women Second Coach)

Red Cards: Gerardo Simone Caruso, Kevin Turra, Gianluca Scardovi, Vittorio Umberto Branzoni

FVS Operator: Francesco Tagliaferri