Nischler the protagonist: Como Women beat Sampdoria 2-1 in the closing moments

Como Women beat Sampdoria 2-1 at “La Sciorba” in Genoa in the thirteenth Serie A eBay women's matchday and rise to 19 points, closing 2024 four points ahead of Milan.

The match opens immediately after 45 seconds with a first-time shot from 25 meters by Nadine Nischler following a fine piece of play with Del Estal. After taking the lead, Stefano Sottili's girls searched for a second goal first with Karlernäs in the 9th minute with a right-footed shot from the edge of the area that went just wide of Tampieri's goal, then in the 25th minute with a header from Del Estal just over the bar following a free-kick.

Towards the end of the first half, Sampdoria grew into the game and in the 45th minute, nearly found an equalizer with Nano, who in front of goal was mesmerised by Gilardi, and then with Bercelli, whose curling shot went just wide.

In the second half, Sampdoria started better and in the 46th minute came close to equalizing with a left-footed shot from Cafferata which Gilardi pushed out for a corner. From that corner, Pisani headed it down but the post denied Sampdoria the equalizer. In the 52nd minute, a flash from the Como side saw a cross from Nischler met with a header from Karlernäs, challenging the Sampdoria goalkeeper.

The 1-1 draw arrived a few minutes later at the 60th minute through Baldi, who took advantage of a loose ball in the area after Fallico's header hit the crossbar.

Como Women struggled, but in the closing stages, deep into added time, found the definitive 2-1 winner with a low shot from Nischler that the goalkeeper could not hold.

Here are Nischler's words at the end of the match: "In these matches, the important thing is to take home the three points. In the end, it doesn't matter how the result comes, with or without luck; what matters is believing until the end and never giving up. Now we can finally think about Christmas."

On the standings: “Those four extra points over Milan are very important for us. They allow us to look higher and give us even more motivation. But we must continue to give our best, match after match, because every game is important. We can never let our guard down.”

The analysis of Stefano Sottili

“Today it was crucial to bring home the three points for several reasons. We suffered a lot and I want to congratulate Sampdoria, who put us to the test, especially in the second half.” declared the coach after the match.

“I watched a bit of the Rome match: we were not able to capitalise on potential opportunities, potential because we always missed the final pass, and this is an area we will work on during the break. In the second half, we did not play well – we could have managed the ball better. We made many technical mistakes, and this strengthens the opponent, something we cannot afford. It will be a point of focus during the break. The positive notes of the day were certainly the willingness from some girls who played without having trained during the week due to physical issues, and obviously, the result.”

About Nadine Nischler, the great protagonist of the match: “Congratulations to Nadine who, besides the two goals, put in a great performance, not only in terms of quality but also quantity, in ball recovery work and in tackles. The personal reward is the two goals, but it is a great reward for all of us.”

On the importance of knowing how to suffer: “Paradoxically, from the bench, I was trying to keep the team more in check because I had the feeling that if one of the two teams were to score, it would be Sampdoria. However, the girls always put forward the possibility to attack, even if somewhat confusedly; they wanted the victory more, thinking less rationally and less with the idea of not risking too much to bring home a point. In the end, this mentality was rewarded.”

On the 19 points in the standings after thirteen games, the best start ever for the club at this point in the tournament: “It is pleasing to highlight this because it testifies to the journey the girls are on. We are reaping the rewards of what we have sown. The girls are getting the satisfaction they deserve for what they do every week. The goal remains to achieve the best result in Como Women's history, and this remains our target.”

Words of appreciation for the work of Sporting Director Miro Keci and the ownership: “I want to emphasise that even though it's early and we have to wait until the end of the regular season, congratulations must be given to Director Miro for the work he has done and is doing from a staffing point of view and to the ownership for the significant efforts they are making, especially with regards to the facilities.”

Match Report

Sampdoria Line-Up: 1 Tampieri; 77 Cafferata (84’ Heroum), 2 Panzeri, 21 Re, 23 Pisani, 3 Nano; 8 Bercelli (69’ Arcangeli), 6 Benoit, 40 Fallico; 9 Della Peruta (90’+3 Burbassi), 24 Baldi (69’ Pellegrino). Coach: Stefano Castiglione

Available: 5 Cinotti, 7 Arcangeli, 11 Heroum, 14 Pellegrino Cimo, 18 Burbassi, 22 Aprile, 26 Bertucci, 35 Zilli, 99 Bison.

Como Women Line-Up: 22 Gilardi; 2 Marcussen, 24 Rizzon, 3 Guagni (77’ Sagen), 6 Bergersen; 16 Karlernäs (77’ Conc), 27 Petzelberger, 20 Vaitukaityte, 7 Nischler; 9 Del Estal (81’ Picchi), 28 Kerr. Coach: Stefano Sottili

Available players: 4 Spinelli, 10 Bolden, 11 Conc, 13 Liva, 15 Bianchi, 17 Sagen, 21 Picchi, 30 Ruma, 33 Kramzar, 78 De Bona. 

Scorers: 1’ Nischler (Como Women); 60’ Baldi (Sampdoria); 90’+2 Nischler (Como Women)

Yellow cards: 29’ Vaitukaityte (Como Women), 38’ Del Estal (Como Women), 56’ Bergersen (Como Women)

Red Cards : 0

MVP : Nischler

Referee and Assistants : Carlo Esposito, Francesco Romano, Emanuele Renzullo and Andrea Augello