AC Milan Women 0-3 Inter: Chances squandered and a silly red card

By: Isak Möller

Milan Women failed to replicate the heroics of the men’s team in the Derby della Madonnina, conceding three goals against Inter after a silly red card.

After the odd-goal defeat to Como last night time out, Milan Women were out for revenge this afternoon, and perhaps also a little inspired by the men’s win in the derby last weekend. However, Suzanne Bakker’s side made life very difficult for themselves.

In the first half, Milan actually had a couple of good opportunities to take the lead and make it a very different game. After just four minutes, the veteran Christy Grimshaw got a good chance in the box, but failed to connect with the cross from the left with her head from close range.

About ten minutes later, Mawa Sesay picked up on a loose ball after a mistake by Inter’s backline. However, she somehow missed the target and didn’t even force the goalkeeper to a save, effectively squandering a 1v1 by rushing the shot.

In the second half, the game remained fairly even but one moment proved costly for Milan. As Benedetta Glionna made her way into the box, the aforementioned Grimshaw made her evening worse with a little kick, resulting in a penalty for the away side (somewhat cheap, but fair).

Haley Bugeja made no mistakes from the spot, firing a great shot straight down the middle to give her side the lead in the 57th minute. Milan then began their pursuit of an equaliser after that but instead of a goal, around five minutes later, Sandra Ogalla was sent off.

The goalkeeper used her hands a little bit too early, touching the ball outside the penalty box, and the referee immediately spotted it. Bakker made use of the VAR challenge, prompting the referee to have a look at the screen, but the decision was upheld. A silly red card indeed.

Deputy goalkeeper Sally Rainey was brought on but just a few minutes later, Inter doubled their lead through Glionna. It was a well-worked move, in fairness, but the defending could have been better at the far post. That was in the 67th minute.

Milan tried to get back into the game but struggled with only ten players. And so, in the 83rd minute, Inter were awarded another penalty. This one was even cheaper than the first, as Angelica Soffia barely touched the player.

Despite another VAR check, the decision was upheld and Bugeja bagged her second of the night. That concluded the night from a goalscoring point of view, and Milan Women suffered their second consecutive defeat.