A defeat that stings, a lot. There Freedom FC Women returns from Montecchio with a strong performance, but without points after the survival clash with San Marino Academy: despite Captain Martin’s lightning advantage and one of the best performances of the season, Ardito’s orange team are overcome by the home team, paying at a high cost also some unfavorable episodes, thus failing to reach the relegation zone. An epilogue that creates anger in the people of Cuneo who, however, still have their destiny in their hands with four days to go: but, inevitably, on Wednesday 1st May, in the midweek against Tavagnacco, they will no longer be able to make mistakes, to avoid a straight line ending of pure suffering.
THE NEWS – 3-5-2 for San Marino Academy: Limardi in goal, rearguard with Prinzivalli, Gardel and Manzetti; in midfield Peare, Bertolotti, Brambilla, Giuliani and Ladu; Tamburini and Barbieri in attack. 3-5-2 also for Freedom with several new features, including the formation: Fedele in goal, defended with Bruni, Giatras and Zito; in the median Devoto, Mellano, Di Lascio, Cocco and Asta; in front the Burbassi-Martin tandem.
Super start for the guests: in the 2nd minute a kissed cross from Devoto and a winning header from Martin who immediately broke the deadlock. The blue and whites respond in the 6th minute: Giuliani, going deep, enters the area and finishes with a low shot, with the ball just wide. Hard-fought match, with Freedom holding the field well but risking quite a bit in the 24th minute when, taking advantage of an opponent’s mistake on the way out, Barbieri sprints into the area and crosses his right foot, with the ball just wide of the post. Once the danger has escaped, the Cuneo team return to playing convincingly but, just when the first half seemed to be headed towards 1-0, here is the episode that changes everything: Tamburini anticipates Mellano in the area and falls, the referee sees a contact and blows the whistle the penalty, converted by Barbieri, is 1-1. Despite the blow taken, the orange team returned from the changing rooms with great energy: in the 46th minute Burbassi’s flick and shot into the area blocked Limardi; in the 50th minute the opportunity is sensational: great action with a high recovery, the ball goes to Martin who stalls in front of the goalkeeper with one dribble too many, being blocked. Freedom insists: in the 55th minute Mellano converges from the left and shoots the ball wide. However, San Marino is there: in the 62nd minute Carrer takes advantage of a rebound to appear in the area, return to the left and kick, the ball deflected into Fedele’s arms. It’s the prelude to the goal that arrives shortly after: Ladu turns with his left foot, Fedele gets there but Peare scores on the rebound, 1-2. Ardito tries with the insertions of Battaglioli and Vazquez, in the 72nd minute there is another huge chance: header by Asta in front of goal, miraculous instinct by Limardi. In the final, the Piedmontese team remained with 10 men for the second yellow card given to Di Lascio but did not stop pressing in the San Marino metafield: but it wasn’t enough, the Titane won and celebrated their safety now secured.
SAN MARINO ACADEMY-FREEDOM FC WOMEN 2-1
Networks: 2′ Martin (F), 41′ pen. Barbieri (S), 64′ Peare (S).
SAN MARINO ACADEMY (3-5-2): Limardi, Prinzivalli, Gardel, Manzetti; Peare, Bertolotti (45′ Carrer), Brambilla, Giuliani, Ladu; Tamburini (85′ Bonnin), Barbieri. Available Montalti, Menin, Mariotti, Puglisi, Buonamassa, Montanari, Pirini. All. Venturi
FREEDOM FC WOMEN (3-5-2): Fedele, Bruni (79′ Serna), Giatras, Zito; Devoto, Mellano (67′ Vazquez), Di Lascio, Cocco (67′ Battaglioli). Asta (89′ Brown); Burbassi, Martin. Available Nucera, Servetto, Fadini, Ara, Eletto. All. Ardito.
Referee: Samuel Dania of Milan (Manuel Giuliani of Barcellona Pozzo di Gotto and Stefano Allievi of San Benedetto del Tronto)
EXPELLED: Di Lascio (F) due to yellow cards
AMMONITE: Bertolotti, Tamburini (S).
