Since tonight the U-17 WWC match between Mexico and Italy will take place and I am likely going to follow it here on this thread, I'll meanwhile post the highlights of Serie A Femminile's matches one after the other in different posts, as they are uploaded on the league's YouTube channel. The first match of today was the big clash between Roma and Inter. The host team got back Manuela Giugliano, who hadn't been called to the NT for an injury (the other injured player also, Lucia Di Guglielmo, was on the pitch today, although just as a late-sub, since 86': anyway, were they injured just for Italy's friendly matches? ). Roma exploited the fact that Marta Pandini was often free on the Right-Side in the 1st Half and scored early with a tight-angle shot from her. Then Inter wasn't able to change the inertia of the game: while Rachele Baldi was having some good saves (the best one on a Benedetta Glionna's close-range chance in the 2nd Half), Roma, in the middle of the 2nd Half, found another goal with Giulia Dragoni (who didn't want to pass the ball to Emilie Haavi, who was alone at the center of the box, but in the end she was right to want to shoot), was denied (after review) a PK for an handball by Chiara Robustellini, and finally sealed the deal at 90' with the captain Manuela Giugliano slamming the ball in after a good fast transition. Perfect record for Roma, who have 12 points after 4 match-days: it looks like it will be quite hard to stop them, this season. The score: Roma 3-0 Inter The highlights:
While I was writing the previous post, the highlights from Juventus-Ternana were uploaded; Sassuolo-Fiorentina is underway instead (the match has just started) and won't probably be available until the end of the U-17 NT's match. Looks like Juventus have much more scoring problems than Roma, this season, but finally their big signing from the summer-market, Michela Cambiaghi, woke up and decided the game with her specialty, since she scored an header-brace. Ternana had anyway managed to equalize the initial advantage of the host with a FK at the beginning of the 2nd Half by veteran Stephanie Breitner, that was anyway seriously misjudged by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and that was going to be the only actual chance for the vistor team. In the end, though, the second goal by Michela Cambaghi came at 89' (and I guess it was good that she anticipated team-mate Amalie Vangsgaard on that header, because I've got the feeling that the Danish striker would have missed as usual ). So Juventus finally managed to beat the newly promoted team that currently sits at the last place in the rankings, but they anyway had to strenuously struggle to get those three points! The score: Juventus 2-1 Ternana The highlights:
Mexico-Italy going to start; Europe's reigning champions of Netherlands wait for the winner in the semifinal, after having beaten France at the penalty shootout in the afternoon. This is the starting line-up: Robbioni; Verrini, Pomati, Randazzo, Bressan; Robino, Giudici (c), Copelli; G. Galli, Volpini, Guerzoni. Captain Caterina Venturelli, after the injury she suffered against Nigeria, is on the bench. It should mean that she can anyway enter if needed, but I've got the feeling that we're going to miss her both in defense and in offense, and also for her captaincy: she has character. Sofia Pomati starting at her place. Edit: the commentators say it was a nose fracture for Caterina Venturelli. Ouch!
Mexico score at 15' a quite random goal: a casual shot its deflected by an Italian DF and becomes a assist for a Mexican player who's just on-side. What a way to go behind. And the problem is that Italy haven't managed to play well so far, so Mexico could get away with their usual 1-0 win...
Wow, the goal is disallowed because in the previous action there was a PK for Italy!!! Good Video-support call!
Rachele Giudici shoots a too central PK that's been saved, but it's ok since the PK itself saved Italy from the opponent's goal! Phew. Game on!
There was a contact in Mexican box... but still thats a bit harsh. Lets hope the ref can keep the same margins in all other calls.
Yes, and substitute Sofia Pomati is suffering her speed and techinique. As I had easily predicted, we're missing Caterina Venturelli.
Sofia Pomati basically assisted with her header Joselyn Solis Diaz, but Matilde Robbioni saved and gave a CK!
PK for Italy! Giulia Galli is fouled in the box and this time she wants to kick it herself! There is a check, but I doubt it could be reversed: it seemed clear.
Another miss!!!! I guess Giulia Galli took the ball with the wrong mental attitude, as she wanted to imply: "Now I show you all how a PK is taken". But she didn't shot well!
Well, missing two back-to-back PKs sounds bad, but let's not forget these girls are under 17. For definition, they haven't enough experience.
0-0 at HT. It could still go either way, but now I understand why Mexico have won al of their games by 1-0.
Good header by Giulia Galli, but Mexican GK deflects over the bar! It's not the first chance for Italy in the 2nd Half, but it's the best one!
We're at 75' and Italy have made no changes so far: maybe they believe there is an extra-time? The 1st Half suggests that if we go to the penalty shootout we're going to lose.
Finally, at 79', Valentina Piccardi and Martina Romanelli for Viola Volpini and Giulia Guerzoni. It was about time, most of Italy's players look gassed.
Giulia Galli with an header just out at 90'! I guess this game is cursed. Italy could easily lose it after having had two PKs and the best chances. 4 minutes of additional time.
I missed a goal disallowed to Italy for a crash of my PC. Meanwhile Sara Terlizzi replaced Sofia Pomati. Then... final whistle!
I'ìl just hold my breath and look at the full penalty shootout without posting here. Matilde Robbioni is a good GK, but it will all depend on how our players will shoot and if they're not too much tired.