Serie B: second consecutive 1-1 draw for San Marino Academy

Once again, San Marino Academy pay a heavy price for their lapses in concentration, having to settle for a draw against league leaders Brescia after long spells in control of the game and creating more than one chance to score. A monument to ruthlessness from Garavaglia’s side, solid at the back and extremely dangerous whenever they were able to break into the San Marino penalty area. So, after a couple of attempts from set pieces and a left-footed effort off target from Massa, it was the Leonesse who took the lead exactly halfway through the first half. A poor touch from Martina Piazza opened the door for Hjohlman’s surge forward; she drove to the byline and picked out Ghisi with a simple ball that the midfielder tucked away behind the helpless Alessia Piazza. The Academy did not lose their shape and continued to make the running, while Brescia doubled down on their tactical plan of defending deep and counter-attacking. On 26 minutes Barbieri worked a good ball on the corner of the box and drilled in a low cross that evaded any touch; as the move continued, Fusar Poli tried her luck but failed to trouble Lonni. Brescia almost doubled their lead on 35 minutes, once again through the liveliness of Hjohlman: the Swede’s shot-cross was pushed away by Alessia Piazza and the loose ball fell to captain Brayda, who attempted an overhead kick that crashed against the post with the keeper beaten. Before the interval, a free-kick from Cristina Merli cleared the bar and Alessandra Massa struck the woodwork after smartly darting into the area and shooting across goal with her left. It was a precise diagonal that hit the base of the post. After the restart Brescia were more enterprising and, as early as the 53rd minute, Alessia Piazza was called into action: after coming off her line, she was quick to get back up and deflect Farina’s effort – the forward having come on at half-time – behind for a corner. From the ensuing set-piece, Brescia hit the woodwork again, this time through Galbiati, who first had to bow to a stunning reflex save from Alessia Piazza and then could not find the space to force the ball over the line. Having survived that scare, the Titane went back to weaving their attacking play, with Fusar Poli firing on goal after being picked out by an excellent Baldini. The pair were involved again in the chance created on 59 minutes, when the Romagna-born midfielder did well on the flank and cut the ball back to the edge of the area for the former Como player, who scuffed her right-footed effort. The equaliser was in the air and arrived shortly after from a corner. Cristina Merli sliced her clearance at the near post and the looping ball was met by the head of Martina Piazza, beating Lonni to it as well. It was the full-back’s first league goal, the perfect way to celebrate her 27th birthday. The momentum was now entirely with the Sammarinese side. Brescia tried to relieve the pressure with a long-range effort from Cristina Merli, while Menin came close to completing a remarkable turnaround on 70 minutes. Kiamou sent a ball in behind for the captain, who stood up well to the physical challenge from Galbiati and got her shot away from inside the box, grazing the crossbar with an awkward trajectory. The Leonesse back line was wobbling and almost undone by friendly fire from Barcella. From the resulting corner, Massa tried her luck but Lonni gathered at the second attempt. In the closing stages, San Marino Academy pushed for a winner against the league leaders, but Conte’s players lacked the decisive final touch. It is usually within Fusar Poli’s capabilities, but she was off target with her right-footed shot from the edge of the box on 76 minutes, after a powerful solo run from Menin. The same goes for Baldini’s right-footed volley from a Massa cross. Late on, Pirini made her first-team debut of the season, while stoppage time produced two noteworthy incidents. The first, unfortunately, was not football-related and concerned a heavy collision between Menin and Bertolotti, with the Lombardy midfielder – on the pitch for only a few minutes – coming off worse. In the final second of the match, Brescia went within inches of an incredible victory when Farina crossed for Luana Merli: the move between the two substitutes ended with a close-range effort that flew over the bar.  

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Women’s Serie B, Matchday 19 | San Marino Academy-Brescia 1-1   SAN MARINO ACADEMY (4-2-3-1) A. Piazza; Marrone, Kiamou, Venturini, M. Piazza; Fusar Poli (from 83' Bertolotti, from 90'+3' Cecchini), Brambilla; Menin, Massa (from 88' Pirini), Baldini; Barbieri Subs: Montanari, Montalti, Micciarelli, Papaleo, Kuenrath, Jansen Coach: Alain Conte   BRESCIA (4-2-3-1) Lonni; Viscardi (from 65' Bianchi), Perin, Barcella, Galbiati; Ghisi (from 65' Magri), Asta; Brayda (from 73' L. Merli), C. Merli, Hjohlman; Pasquali (from 46' Farina) Subs: Ballabio, Maroni, Porcarelli, Tengattini Coach: Elio Garavaglia   Referee: Sergio Palmieri from Conegliano Assistants: Alessia Cerrato from San Donà di Piave and Ares Beggiato from Schio Scorers: 23' Ghisi, 64' M. Piazza Booked: Ghisi, Viscardi