Tough debut for Lazio Women in their 2021/22 Serie A Femminile campaign as Carolina Morace’s side lost 2-1 to Sampdoria Women.
The Biancocelesti struggled to match the Ligurian side’s intensity from the outset and a late consolation goal wasn’t enough to rescue some points at the Stadio Mirko Fersini in Formello.
Below are the Starting XI for both teams, as detailed by Lazio:
Lazio Women (4-3-3): Stephanie Ohrstrom; Margot Gambarotta, Maria Thomsen, Beatrix Fordos, Nora Heroum; Rachel Cuschieri (75′ Virginia Di Giammarino), Ella Mastrantonio, Antonietta Castiello; Signe Andersen, Adriana Martin, Noemi Visentin (46′ Francesca Pittaccio).
Sampdoria Women (4-3-3): Selena Babb; Debora Novellino, Anna Auvinen, Elena Pisani, Michela Giordano; Bianca Fallico, Cecilia Re, Yoreli Rincon (71’ Asa Helmvall); Sabah Seghir (65′ Veronica Battelani), Stefania Tarenzi (90’+2′ Giorgia Spinelli), Ana Lucia Martinez.
Photo: Lazio Women Coach Morace – “We’re Ready to Rewrite History”
Sampdoria were in total control of the first half, with Rincon’s well-placed through ball being perfect for Martinez, who entered the box and slotted it past Ohrstrom in the far corner.
The Blucerchiati had at least two more clear chances in the first half but failed to take advantage of them.
The only bright spot for Lazio Women came from Martin, who took advantage of a poor clearance to take a shot on goal, which unluckily hit the crossbar.
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Little was different in the second half, with Sampdoria doubling their advantage in the 48th minute; Martinez collected the ball with her back to goal and passed it out to Rincon, who shot from the edge of the penalty area. The ball flew into the left corner, beating Ohrstrom for the second time.
However, just as Sampdoria began to settle, Lazio struck with Castiello’s left-footed shot coming from a nice assist by Andersen. The close-range shot hit the crossbar and bounced across the line, giving Babb no chance to save it.
It proved to be little more than a consolation goal, with coach Morace’s Lazio squad losing 2-1 in their Serie A Femminile opener.
Lazio Women’s next game is against Inter Women on 5th September at 5:30 pm local time.
