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

The match at the “Tre Fontane” in Rome, valid for the 18th round of the Serie A Women Athora, ends 4-3 in favor of Roma against Como Women.

The match report

In the 3rd minute, Roma create their first chance through Giugliano who, from the edge of the box with a free kick, attempts a right-footed shot aimed at the top corner, but Gilardi does well to tip it out for a corner. A few seconds later, Como Women threaten in the opposition area: Nischler, assisted by Berisha at the edge of the box, tries a right-footed shot, but it is central and easily saved by Baldi. In the 13th minute, Nischler is dangerous again, winning the ball at midfield and attempting a long-range shot toward goal, spotting Baldi off her line, who is forced to push it out for a corner.

In the 25th minute, a superb save by Gilardi denies Viens, who had struck a left-footed shot across goal. In the 26th minute, however, from the resulting corner, Roma take the lead: Gilardi loses control of the ball and Haavi takes advantage from close range. Roma double their lead shortly after, again from a corner in the 28th minute, with another header by Haavi.

The game quickly heats up, and Como Women respond by pulling one back through Chidiac: after a ball recovery by Nischler, she drives into the box from the right and fires a low shot past Baldi. In the 37th minute, the Como bench calls for a VAR review following a challenge between Baldi and Pavan, but after reviewing the incident, the referee decides there are no grounds for a penalty. In the 41st minute, Nischler equalizes for Como Women with a shot from the edge of the box, marking her seventh goal of the season. In the 45th minute, Como complete the comeback with Berisha who, assisted by Chidiac in the box, fires a low shot from the right side of the six-yard box; the effort is deflected by Heatley, wrong-footing her own goalkeeper.

The first half ends 3-2 in favor of Davide Borin’s side, who is acting as head coach due to Paolo Tramezzani’s suspension, with the latter watching from the stands.

In the second half, Roma equalize immediately in the 46th minute through Viens: a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Haavi. In the 54th minute, Roma turn the game around thanks to Pilgrim, who had just come on, beats Rizzon in the box and fires a right-footed shot from a tight angle on the right, under the crossbar, making it 4-3 for the hosts.

In the 60th minute, Como Women try to respond with Bergersen, whose cross-shot from the left goes just over the top corner. In the 72nd minute, Roma have another chance with Haavi, who attempts a right-footed shot from the left side of the box. In the 78th minute, another opportunity for the home side: Pilgrim delivers a cross to Haavi, whose right-footed effort from the center of the box is saved.

In stoppage time, Como Women push for an equalizer from a corner, but Cecotti’s header goes just wide. The match ends with a 4-3 victory for Roma.

Match Summary

Roma: 24 Baldi; 25 Thøgersen, 5 Antoine, 4 Heatley (45’ Oladipo), 2 Veje (45’ Bergamaschi); 8 Csiki (45’ Pilgrim), 10 Giugliano, 20 Greggi, 11 Haavi (88’ Pandini), 15 Dragoni, 7 Viens (80’ Corelli).  Head Coach: Leonardo Montesano

Substitutions: 1 Lukasova, 6 Valdezate, 9 Brennskag-Dorsin, 29 Rieke, 30 Babajide, 47 Galli, 78 Piekarska.

Como Women: 22 Gilardi; 14 Cecotti, 5 Howard, 24 Rizzon (80’ Madsen); 2 Marcussen (52’ Ronan), 7 Nischler, 20 Vaitukaityte (88’ Pinther), 19 Pavan (81’ Picchi), 6 Bergersen; 10 Chidiac, 11 Berisha (52’ Bernardi). Head Coach: Davide Borin

Substitutions: 1 Capelletti, 4 Saga, 15 Gelbhart, 25 Marchiori, 26 Cappellano, 30 Ruma. 

Scorers: 26 e 28’ Haavi (R), 29’ Chidiac (C), 41’ Nischler (C), (A) 45’ Heatley, 46’ Viens (R), 54’ Pilgrim (R).

Yellow Cards: Vaitukaityte (C)

Referee and Assistants: Mattia Maresca, Massimiliano Cirillo, Angelo Di Curzio, Michele Coppola

FVS: Nirintsalama T. Andriambelo