Milan scored quite early with a defelcted shot by Giorgia Arrigoni, but Parma managed to equalize with an incredible lob from about 50 m by Manon Uffren that Laura Giuliani couldn't save. In the 2nd Half, though, a brace by Christy Grimshaw gave the win to the home team. I am not sure why, but some of Milan's players didn't have the correct names on their jerseys today. Juventus-Inter, the key match of this match-day, saw 6 goals in the 1st Half... ...and 0 in the 2nd Half. Thrice Inter went ahead (with a brace by a Defender, Chiara Robustellini, and a PK converted by Tessa Wullaert) and thrice Juventus answered with an equalizer (with an own goal by Ivana Andrés from a CK action, a PK converted by Barbara Bonansea and a goal in the additional minutes of the 1st Half by Amelie Vangsgaard). Why Juventus wanted a draw? Well, because it qualifies them for the next Champions' League. Milan are now 4 points behind and Lazio and Fiorentina, who could theoretically catch up with Juventus at 36 points, are anyway behind with the direct clashes (as @Lohmann has thoroughly checked last week ). So congratulations to Juventus: it basically was the last important verdict of this league Italy's champions of Roma, today, in an away match vs Sassuolo, gave some playing time to players who hadn't had much chances to shine so far (there even was the debut in Serie A Femminile with Roma for the 3rd Goalkeeper Valentina Soggiu; she had actually played another game with Sampdoria in 2022-2023): the result were some unusual names on the scoresheet. The first goal was a PK by Norwegian FW Frøya Dorsin; then, in the 2nd Half 18 yo talent Giulia Galli and Swiss FW Alayah Pilgrim added their respective signatures. Finally, a nice back-heel shot from a CK action by Eleonora Goldoni in the 1st Half and a shot in the 2nd Half by captain Antonietta Castiello were enough for Lazio to beat Ternana by 2-0, but, as previously said, they weren't enough to keep alive their hopes to beat Juventus at the 3rd-place. Recap: Milan 3-1 Parma Juventus 3-3 Inter Sassuolo 0-3 Roma Lazio 2-0 Ternana Highlights: The one-to-last rankings of this season (Napoli even crashed down at 7th place! ): 1.Roma 52 42-19 2.Inter 44 49-23 3.Juventus 36 30-18 4.Lazio 33 30-28 5.Fiorentina 33 31-29 6.Milan 32 31-25 7.Napoli 31 29-24 8.Como 27 21-22 9.Sassuolo 17 16-33 10.Parma 16 15-28 11.Ternana 14 18-40 12.Genoa 10 18-41 Lazio are currently ahead of Fiorentina, although Fiorentina-Lazio is scheduled for the next (and last) Match-day.
Bonus: in this week-end the semifinals of the Primavera Tournament (the Italian Championship for Youth Clubs) were played. The scores were Juventus 1-3 Milan and Roma 0-2 Sassuolo. So, on the 11th of May the final, instead of a more usual (at least for the senior teams: but it happened four times even at this level) Roma-Juventus, will be Sassuolo-Milan. It's interesting that one of Milan scorer's was 18 yo Karen Apiah, who had already debuted in Serie A Women's Cup earlier this season and had even decided Milan's home match vs Ternana in that competition with a goal of hers. Her parents are from Ghana, but she's born in Brescia and she's in the process of receiving Italian citizenship to play with U-20 Italy NT. Highlights:
Oh, ok. Since she had been a (double) scorer, I had noticed that Christy Grimshaw anyway had the name "Grimshaw" on her jersey, so my impression was that there was something odd, but it likely didn't involve the whole team (not sure what's the story behind Grimshaw, but I anyway now suppose that she took her name from her mother and not from her father). I wish the comment-guy had mentioned this event, that I suppose was a way to celebrate the Mother's Day. Interesting that Laura Giuliani's mother's surname is "Baita". A baita, in Italian is the name that's given in the Alps to a typical wooden lodge in the mountain: I wonder if it means that this branch of her family comes from the mountains.
Laura also made her 200th Serie A appearance although I found different information how much she made for Juve (68 Italian and German Wiki, 69 English Wiki).
Doubting is correct since I found in years that Italian Wiki is not necessarily the best source, not even for Italian players.
I had forgotten to post the score of the final. Milan went ahead twice in the match and Sassuolo equalized both times (even in the additional time of the 2nd Half). At the penalty shootout, though, all Milan's players buried their shots, while Sassuolo's ones missed two. So Milan are the Primavera champions: probably a good omen for Suzanne Bakker's senior team, since they mostly work on youngsters (Primavera's coach Matteo Zago has confiremed that in the final interview).
Bayern München has won the DFB-Pokal's final with a 4-0 score over Wolfsburg; Arianna Caruso scored the last of these goals with a direct FK:
The draw for U-20 WWC Poland 2026 has just happened. Italy U-20 NT is in group D with Japan, USA and New Zealand. The Oceanian champions look well within our reach, the Asian ones most probably aren't. I guess our chances to advance lie in how strong the current iteration of US U-20 NT is: there were times when USA have posted top-performances at the U-20 WWC (as when they won the whole thing in 2012) and other times when they showed some low tactical awareness (or were poorly coached, if you prefer ) and crashed out of the tournament early (as in 2022, when they went out at group stage). It anyway doesn't look like an easy group. On the other hand, Italy, who often skipped this tournament in the past because of the EURO-qualifiers' big hurdle, was in pot 4, so they of course couldn't hope for much more than this.
Today's first match was a classic top-vs-bottom clash: first-placed, and champions of Italy, of Roma vs last-placed, and relegated, Genoa. Two goals by Giulia Dragoni in the 2nd Half were enough for Roma to secure the win and to train for Coppa Italia's final while giving playing time to a lot of second strings or youngsters. Genoa had some rotations also: in particular, instead of having Camilla Forcinella in goal, they deployed and old veteran of the league, 37 yo Slovakian Mária Korenčiová (who had some significant saves in the 2nd Half). This match-day probably was the right time for many teams to give their 2nd or 3rd GKs some playing time: Actually, Como's #1 Astrid Gilardi was still slightly injured after the match vs Napoli from last week (let's hope it's nothing serious for her ), so it was a forced choice: Alessia Capelletti had the chance to start and she actually showed some good form, despite having sat on the bench for so long. Inter, instead, started the "wrong Icelandic", since 3rd GK Telma Ívarsdóttir replaced 1st choice (but much younger) Cecilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir: well, let's say the difference was quite obvious. Of course Inter had no particular motivation to win this game, but, had the GKs been swapped, they much probably wouldn't have taken 3 unanswered goals. Como anyway played their game quite smoothly and their undisputed star was Nadine Nischler who had an assist (for 20 yo Veronica Bernardi) and a personal brace! She sure deserves to be called up in NT's roster for the next games: Andrea Soncin should choose the squad for the matches vs Sweden and Serbia in the next days, Today's matches: Roma 2-0 Genoa Inter 0-3 Como Today's highlights:
For records, in the European night Evelyn Ijeh has scored her first goal in NWSL, by opening the score in a North Carolina Courage 4-0 home win vs Chicago Red Stars.
I think more Italians should come to the NWSL, which means mostly Serie A players since that's their league of preference. But also other nationalities from that league as well. Actually we don't get enough Swedes or Germans, or Dutch in general. It's starting to feel inevitable that we will succeed in being perceived as a league of some preference, but gradually. But money in the US will make long travel home acceptable. We can't yet replicate Champions league, but I'm sort of dubious that that competition is some kind of ultimate experience. The rest of the world needs to think outside the box when it comes to putting on a show of the world's best teams, eventually Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Canada and US could devise something--just dreaming, but put Japan and Australia in as well and you have a real super league!
Last 4 matches of this seasons' Serie A Femminile. Sassuolo was close to an upset in an away match vs Napoli: They scored early with Aurora De Rita but their other goal by Naomi Eto in the 2nd Half was disallowed for off-side (the assist would have been by Latvian 17 yo Gabriela Andersone, who was promoted to the top-team after having played the final of the Primavera Tournament vs Milan). The equalizer by Cecilie Fløe stayed instead, after having been initially disallowed for a potential off-side by assist-woman Marija Banusic. Later Swiss GK Noemi Benz saved another Cecilie Fløe's big chance and that was basically the end of the game. No Laura Giuliani in goal for Milan today: her replacement Sandra Estévez Ogalla had a lot of work, though, because Ternana was on the offense for the whole game. It was at 90'+2' only, though, that Paloma Lázaro finally managed to score (Lucia Pastrenge would have scored a second a few minutes later, but it was disallowed for off-side). So Ternana ends the league with their 4th win and manage to pass Parma at the 10th place; Milan have to settle with 6th place. The match for the 4th place between Fiorentina and Lazio was won by the home team: they scored one goal in the 1st Half with Katla Tryggvadóttir (basically an embarassing blunder by Francesca Durante ) then another in the 2nd Half with Sofie Bredgaard. Andrea Karczewska only scored one back when it was too late: Lazio had looked like a contender for a Champions League's spot at some point through the season, but they only finish at 5th place. Finally, Juventus easily win their away match vs Parma: Emma Stølen Godø opens the score early with a FK that was badly defended by the home team. Then seldom-played Australian FW Annalise Rasmussen made it two in the 2nd Half. Gaia Distefano re-opened the match for Parma for a moment with her goal, but Lindsey Thomas put the final seal on the game. Last recap of this season's Serie A Femminile: Napoli 1-1 Sassuolo Ternana 1-0 Milan Fiorentina 2-1 Lazio Parma 1-3 Juventus And last highlights: These are the final standings of the league: 1.Roma 55 44-19 2.Inter 44 49-26 3.Juventus 39 33-19 4.Fiorentina 36 33-30 5.Lazio 33 31-30 6.Milan 32 31-26 7.Napoli 32 30-25 8.Como 30 24-22 9.Sassuolo 18 17-34 10.Ternana 17 19-40 11.Parma 16 16-31 12.Genoa 10 18-43 Milan finish ahead of Napoli since the direct clash was (2-0, 0-0) for them. Bonus: first 10 positions of the top-scorers' rankings of the league (PKs in brackets) : 1. Tessa Wullaert (Inter) 14 (4) 2. Manuela Giugliano (Roma) 12 (4) 3. Cecilie Fløe (Napoli) 11 (0) 4. Martina Piemonte (Lazio) 10 (0) Nadine Nischler (Como) 10 (2) 6. Haley Bugeja (Inter) 8 (0) Valeria Pirone (Ternana) 8 (5) 8. Giulia Dragoni (Roma) 7 (0) Kayleigh van Dooren (Milan) 7 (0) 10. Iris Omarsdottir (Fiorentina) 6 (0) Sofie Bredgaard (Fiorentina) 6 (1)
Hehe, all the swedes are in England already. For Italy I personaly think it's a big loss for the league when big domestic players leaves, as Italy got a very hard time getting players of the same level or maintaing them for long. Players on the level of Greggi, Salvai and Giugliano often goes to England these days. On the other hand is not realistic to expect great players to stay in a league with that low interest, bad pitches etc. I think for most italian players it's better from a sporting point of view stay at home, cause they recieve trust and playtime in a way they doesn't abroad, were many italians have struggled . I see players like Linari, Caruso often being on the bench and a player like Piemonte totally flopped for Everton. But for the ones who succed it might be very developing. I guess Cantore is good enough and Diguglielmo I've heard has been praised. Heard less about Boattin and Girelli, who spontatnously feels too slow for America. I mostly want italians to stay in the league, but a player I actually would like to see in USA is Bonfantini. I feel she might perform better in USA than in Italy. She plays a more explosive game and . I feel the overly tactical nature of Italy is strangle her a bit. Would like to see if NWSL could give her more freedom, she would enjoy a more coast to coast kind a play, with more space.
Nice that you highlight that it was latvian 17 year old assisting for Sassuolo. It's things like that, that makes Sassuolo into an interesting club. On the championship as a whole, it was a very well deserved win for Roma. They had a bit of flow in the beginning, but really grew as a team as the season progressed. Now I think they will do a lot better in Europe next season, at least if they keep Dragoni. Whats your team of the season btw? I think I go with Runarsdottir(INT) Defenders: Oladipo(Roma)- Salvai (Juve)-Carbonell(Juve) Midfielders: Oliveiro(Lazio)-Bredgaard(Fiorentina)-Greggi(Roma)-Giugliano(Roma)-Dragoni(Roma) Forwards: Floe(Napoli)-Wullaert(Inter) . I wanted to have Marija Milinkovic from Inter, but I feel Inter's defense hasn't been 100 percent this season. MVP for me is Manuela Giugliano, she carried Roma thru the tough winter period, when the attackers couldn't score. Tessa Wuallert is a close 2nd
Just a note to observe that Sofia Cantore, with her Washington Spirit team, is in the final of the CONCACAF Women's Champions' Cup 2025/2026, the equivalent for CONCACAF of the UEFA Women's Champions' League. Here you can see her being the first to hug her team-mate Claudia Martínez, the only scorer of the semifinal.
I should think about it: so difficult to select the team, especially in the offensive MFs/FWs section. For instance, despite her team achieving nothing and her in particular somehow disappearing in at least a part of the big matches, I wouldn't want to leave Nadine Nischler out of my team, although I am not sure who could I sacrifice for her...
Sofia Cantore scored the goal of the momentary 1-2 score and almost equalized when she hit the post a few minutes later, but the final score of the final anyway was a 3-5 loss for her team, Washington Spirit, against Mexicans of Club América, who subsequently win the whole competition. You can anyway watch her goal (and post) in highlights: Meanwhile, the final of Coppa Italia between Juventus and Roma will be played this evening, at 18:00. I'll probably miss the live game, but I'm going to give you the final score and highlghts later.
These are the starting line-ups of the final: Juventus: De Jong; Carbonell, Harviken, Schatzer, Capeta, Bonansea, Walti, Vangsgaard, Stolen Godo, Salvai, Lenzini. On the bench: Rusek, Mallardi, Kullberg, Rosucci, Thomas, Calligaris, Krumbiegel, Moretti, Pinto, Brighton, Cambiaghi, Rasmussen. Coach: Canzi. Roma: Baldi; Antoine, Viens, Csiki, Giugliano, Haavi, Dragoni, Oladipo, Greggi, Bergamaschi, Thogersen. On the bench: Lukasova, Soggiu, Veje, Heatley, Valdezate, Brennksag, Pilgrim, Pandini, Rieke, Babajide, Ventriglia, Galli. Coach: Rossettini. I'll probably manage to watch at least a little bit of the match (live on RAI 2, but almost sure it's geoblocked outside of Italy ).
The last match of the club season in Italy has started. Only 9 Italian players on the pitch, not even making a full team (4 for Juventus, 5 for Roma).
in Vicenza, wth a hot weather, Juventus 0-0 Roma at HT. Juventus has been quite dominant at the beginning, then Roma got better after the cooling break. Anyway, no more than one good chance per side: a good middle-range shot by Estela Carbonell that was deflected in corner by Rachele Baldi and a nice attempt by Giada Greggi that went just slightly high over the crossbar. Meanwhile, some market news have been disclosed by the commentators of the match: Roma will lose two key-players for the next season, Emilie Haavi and Evelyne Viens, who announced that this will be their last match with Roma. Meanwhile, Giula Dragoni's loan from Barcelona has ended: it's not clear if Roma will want to redeem her or if Barça wants her back (also it's not clear yet what the player herself would prefer).
2nd Half has started. There was just one change, for Roma: Alayah Pilgrim replaces Anna Csiki (quite an offensive set up! ).