Inter Milan Women delivered a dominating performance on December 15, 2024, defeating Sassuolo Women 3-0 at the Arena Civica in Milan. With this victory, Inter not only took home three points but also temporarily secured the second spot on the league table, matching Roma's points at 28.
The match kicked off at 12:30 PM, marking the thirteenth round of Serie A Femminile, where Inter aimed to continue its momentum after collecting three wins and one draw from their last four games. Sassuolo, on the other hand, was fighting to escape the relegation zone, having only gathered nine points throughout the season.
From the outset, the Inter Women, coached by Gianpiero Piovani, showed determination and tactical prowess. The opening minutes featured opportunities for both teams, but it was the nerazzurre who struck first. At the 26-minute mark, Ivana Andrés scored with a well-executed header from a corner kick taken by Wullaert, putting Inter up 1-0.
This goal shifted the momentum significantly. Just moments before, Sassuolo had threatened with their first proper attack, but the advantage for Inter swiftly grew. Midfielder Magull nearly doubled the lead midway through the first half but was thwarted when her powerful free-kick rattled the crossbar.
While Inter pushed for another goal, Sassuolo was unable to respond to the pressure. The first half drew to a close with Inter leading 1-0, thanks to Andrés' decisive contribution.
Upon the resumption for the second half, Inter came out with fierce aggression. Within minutes, they came close to scoring again. A long-range shot from Wullaert hit the post at the 48-minute mark, sending shockwaves through the Sassuolo defense. The breakthrough came shortly after, and who else could score but Martina Tomaselli, commemorated her 100th Serie A appearance with a stunning right-footed shot nestling it in the far corner of the net at the 52-minute mark. "Martina Tomaselli festeggia la sua 100esima presenza in Serie A con un tiro di prima che si spegne nell'angolino lontano...," reported Inter Milan.
Just when Sassuolo thought they could regroup, Polli added the third goal at the 66th minute following another strong offensive play. The goal originated from a well-constructed attack featuring cross from Bowen, several attempts, and finally, Polli capitalized on the rebound after Durand parried the initial shot. Inter's third goal effectively sealed the match, highlighting their clinical approach throughout the game.
Despite their struggles, Sassuolo fought to find some footing and made several attempts to respond; Rúnarsdóttir, Inter's goalkeeper, was on high alert and saved close-range efforts from Missipo and Monterubbiano, maintaining Inter's clean sheet.
Throughout the match, Inter exhibited their best defensive tactics, having allowed just seven goals all season, which is the best record across the league. Their performance against Sassuolo only fortified their reputation as serious contenders this season, reflecting on their title aspirations.
This victory places Inter on level points with Roma as they prepare for their next match, which looks to be the highlight of the next round where both teams will face off directly. Such high-stakes matches are pivotal as the season progresses.
Fans and analysts alike are thrilled to see if Inter can maintain this performances against the top clubs, especially with their upcoming fixtures against Juventus and Fiorentina looming. With this match concluded, the stage is set for what may be one of the most exciting finishes to the Serie A Femminile yet.
The impact of the victory transcends the immediate points and standings; it instills confidence within the squad and excitement among their fans as they march toward the second half of the season.
