A festive Sunday. There Freedom FC Women greets their fans with a nice goalless draw with the Genoa and celebrates, even on the field, the stay in B series: the right moment of shared joy, between team, staff, club and public, at the end of a long, painful season, but concluded with happiness, pride and satisfaction.
There is still a day left until the end of the championship, but the appointment with “Paschiero” is for 2024-25, still in the cadet tournament, a new starting point for a club like that of patron Danilo Merlo, born in 2021 starting from Excellence and already able to fully integrate into the national scenario.
Before the toasts, however, there was a match, hard fought and fun. After a balanced first quarter of an hour and without any real scoring opportunities, the first jolt: in the 24th minute, a nice move by the hosts who lead to a shot from Devoto from the edge, the ball deflected, blocking Macera; in the 27th minute Nucera’s goal trembles: Fernandez concludes from the edge, off-center towards the left, hitting the crossbar squarely. The orange team respond: another patient action, Devoto in depth for Cocco who crosses, from the right, to the far post Martin stops and tries to place it, blocks Macera in two stages. In the 31st minute, a shot from Devoto, one of the most proactive in the offensive phase, from distance, the ball just over.
The Cuneo team did better in the second half of the first half: in the 41st minute a restart triggered by Devoto herself who verticalised for Ara, who advanced and shot from 16 metres, Macera was there. At the end of the half, a goal by striker Bargi was disallowed for offside, but at half-time it was 0-0. Lots of balance in the second half: in the 69th minute, a thrill for the Cuneo team, when Mele, directly from a corner, chipped the crossbar; we have to wait until the 76th minute for a real opportunity: Martin-Burbassi-Martin exchange on a corner from the left, the Spanish attacker cuts the ball into the area, where a melee breaks out; following the defense’s rebound, Mellano arrives and shoots from 16 metres, the ball just wide. In the 79th minute Freedom counterattack: Devoto launches Burbassi who sprints again but, tired, is unable to finish towards the goal, being closed by the defence. Shortly afterwards, a thrill for the Piedmontese team: Bargi slips between two defenders and looks for a pass, Nucera comes out at the right time and takes the ball from low. In the final minutes, we only wait for the final whistle: Freedom FC Women can celebrate on the pitch, in front of and with their fans, the goal achieved, a historic salvation.
FREEDOM FC WOMEN-GENOA 0-0
FREEDOM FC WOMEN (3-4-1-2): Nucera, Giatras, Zito, Bruni; Ara (58′ Mellano), Martin, Cocco (77′ Fadini), Devoto, Di Lascio (58′ Battaglioli), Burbassi, Asta (87′ Vazquez). Available Servetto, Marrone, Serna, Passarella, Aime. All. Ardito.
GENOA (3-4-3) : Macera, Fernandez (82′ Oliva), Lucafo, Giles; Bettalli (82′ Abate), Tardini, Scuratti (67′ Campora), Mele; Acuti, Bargi, Ferrato (73′ Parodi). Available Errico, Forcinella, Rossi, Parolo, Costi. All. Filipinos.
Referee: Vincenzo Hamza Riahi from the Lovere section
Assistants: Abibakr Darwish from Milan and Francesca Pia Algieri from Milan
Ammonite: Coconut, Burbassi (F), Apples (G)
