Arezzo, 19 November 2023 – Arezzo vs. Parma at the stadio Citta di Arezzo in Arezzo ended 1-0 to the away side on matchday 8 in the Women's Serie B.
It was a lively game from the off: inside two minutes, a long-range shot by Szandra Ploner finished up just wide; a minute later, after losing possession and on the break, Maria Giulia Tuteri brought down Veronica Benedetti just as she entered the 18-yard area and referee, Mr. Gerardo Simone Caruso, had no hesitation in awarding the penalty, but Carlotta Nardi guessed right and, to her right, saved Caterina Fracaros' spot-kick.
In the 15th minute, Coach Salvatore Colantuono was forced into making his first change of the game: Sofia Kongouli giving way to Gaia DiStefano. On 19 minutes, a cross by Elena Nichele from the right found Odette Kelly Gago, but her header was off-target and went behind. In the 21st minute, a volley by Antoinette Jewel Williams was saved by Carlotta Nardi. In the 26th minute, Veronica Benedetti set Caterina Ferin free in the area, who was back in the side following a spell on the sidelines due to injury, but her shot is weak. In the 29th minute, Federica Rizza found Veronica Benedetti, but Carlotta Nardi again was there, coming out of her goal to block well. Shortly after, Antoinette Jewel Williams blocked shot fell to Caterina Ferin's shot was blocked and fell to Antoinette Jewel William, who was unable to gather it, turn and shoot. In the 33rd minute, a second forced substitution for Parma saw Caterina Ferin come off and and Ludovica Silvioni come on. In the 35th minute, Eveljn Frigotto comfortably collected the ball from Costanza Razzolini's attempt. At the beginning of two minutes of injury time, a free kick from midfielder Caterina Fracaros flew just over the crossbar. The two teams went in at the break with the scoreline 0-0.
The second half saw no changes at half-time: the game remained a tight affair, despite Arezzo displaying more initiative. The only Parma action was from a piece of individual play by Antoinette Jewel Williams, who won a corner that came to nothing. In the 60th minute, Costanza Razzolini shot from 20 metres out; shortly after, Odette Kelly Gago's header was blocked by the Granate. In the 61st minute, Parma took the lead: a deep throw-in from Gaia DiStefano reached Ludovica Silvioni, went through one-on-one with Carlotta Nardi and found the back of the net. In the 64th minute, a one-two in the six-yard area between Elena Nichele and Gaia DiStefano, somehow saw the ball end up Carlotta Nardi's arms. Two minutes later, Bergròs Asgeirsdottir from the left set up Szandra Ploner in the center of the area, but Veronica Benedetti's early intervention was timed perfectly. Shortly after the 75-minute mark, the Tuscan side made their first changes: Costanza Razzolini off for Julia Diaz Ferrer and Marica Licco for Giulia Martino. At the same time, goalscorer Ludovica Silvioni was forced off for Parma and Anastasia Spyridonidou came on to replace her. In the 77th minute, Gaia DiStefano played in Veronica Benedetti, but her shot was just over the crossbar. A minute later and Veronica Benedetti tried her luck again from distance, but Carlotta Nardi was up to the challenge, with Gaia DiStefano on the rebound having no better luck. On 84 minutes, another sub for Arezzo saw Mariia Amel Taleb replace Giorgia Fortunati. Just before the four-minute stoppage time board was raised, Simona Zito's match ended with Giada Gnisci taking her place. In the second minute of stoppage-time, Szandra Ploner, from inside the left area (teed up by Nocchi) sent her shot high and that was the final piece of action.
A 1-0 victory for Parma, who move to 19 points in the table and just two points behind the leading trio, Ternana, Cesena and Lazio, all on 21 points.
