Pre-match

Antonio Cincotta was back to take charge of the team to take on Inter away from home. He was still without Stephanie Brietner, Martina Piemonte and Camilla Forcinella due to their recent positive Covid19 tests.

Added to that were the injuries to Marta Mascarello, Michela Catena and Cláudia Neto. This was the starting eleven for Sunday’s game in Milan:

When the sides had met on the opening day of this season, Fiorentina recorded a 4-0 home win. This game however, was always going to be a stiffer test.

Ilaria Mauro had missed the start of the season through injury after leaving Florence for Inter, but she was included in the starting lineup for this game.

First Half

It’s never good to concede an early goal, especially away from home which allows the host team to relax. So when Inter went ahead with the fastest Serie A goal of the season with just 26 seconds on the clock, it’s time to look for the positives. At least there is still plenty of time to get back into the game.

Almost straight from the kick-off, and when Frederikke Thøgersen slipped, it gave Inter’s top scorer this season, Gloria Marinelli, a great chance to score. Even from a tight angle she managed to put away her 6th of the campaign.

Sara Baldi had a long range effort tipped around the post by Chiara Marchitelli as Fiorentina looked for the equalizer. They did manage to level the game with another attempt from distance. Greta Adami scored her second of the season when her shot was too hot to handle for Marchitelli this time.

Shortly after that goal and Inter were again on the attack. Katja Schroffenegger was called into action by a shot from Stefania Tarenzi. The sides went in at the break on level terms, 1-1.

Second Half

Fiorentina had an early chance from a corner-kick when the ball came out to Marina Zanoli but her shot was deflected away for another corner. Shortly afterwards a well worked move involving Tessel Middag and Abi Kim set up Sara Baldi to shoot almost from the penalty spot, but the Inter keeper denied her again.

Janelle Cordia came on to replace Zanoli before the hour mark.

With almost twenty minutes gone in the second half, Daniela Sabatino was judged to have been fouled by Kathellen Sousa and the referee pointed to the spot. Sabatino stepped up to put away her third penalty of the league campaign and her tenth goal.

There were twelve minutes remaining when disaster struck for the Viola. Marinelli provided the pass to Tarenzi who found herself all alone in front of goal and the sides were level again.

With seven minutes remaining, it may have looked like Fiorentina would need to settle for just a point from this game. As we know, this Fiorentina team does not settle, and does not give up. Margherita Monnecchi came on to replace Sara Baldi and just a minute later it was her cross which found Sabatino in the box. With her back to goal she managed to lay the ball off to Tessel Middag who was waiting outside the area. She let fly with a first time shot which sailed past Marchitelli and under the crossbar.

I think Tessel enjoyed this one...

As did her team mates...

Tessel had scored her first ever goal for the club against San Marino last week and she continued her fine form with an even better strike here.

After the final whistle, she was all smiles, and showed how much Italian she’s already managed to learn...

It’s great to see the smiles back on the faces of the players. With a lot of team members unavailable, after Tatania Bonetti moving to Atletico Madrid, these girls just get on with their work. This is all about team work and the commitment from our squad.

Full Time

Goals : Marinelli 1’, Adami 26’, Sabatino 64’ PK, Tarenzi 77’, 84’ Middag

Movement in the standings

Roma’s win over Sassuolo on Saturday put them ahead of Fiorentina temporarily, but this win moves us back level on points with Empoli who are in fourth. It also closed the gap to Sassuolo to five points.

Up Next

It’s another trip to Milano next weekend, to take on Inter again. This time it’s the first leg of our Coppa Italia quarter final clash, Saturday 30th January at 14:30 CET.