On Sunday, May 18th, the final matches of the Women’s Serie B season took place.
Genoa Women hosted Arezzo Women at the Sciorba Stadium, just one week after securing promotion to Serie A for the first time in the club’s history. Their spot was confirmed earlier in the day when their closest rivals, Bologna, suffered a loss.
The match kicked off at 3 PM under a celebratory atmosphere, but the game itself proved anything but routine.
Arezzo dominated possession in the first half, yet it was Genoa who posed the greater threat. Star striker Caterina Bargi found the back of the net early on, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Moments later, Arianna Acuti, wearing number 17, gave Genoa the lead with a well-taken finish.
Bargi would go on to score again, but like her first effort, it was disallowed for offside. Had either goal stood, she would have clinched the Golden Boot for the season.
Just before halftime, Genoa doubled their lead through Alice Campora, giving the home side a comfortable advantage going into the break.
The second half began with more of the same as Malta international Rachel Cuschieri scored Genoa’s third, seemingly sealing a dominant win.
However, in a stunning turn of events, Arezzo mounted a fierce comeback in the final quarter of the match, scoring three goals in quick succession. Captain Chiara Razzolini led the charge with a brace, and Greta Balducci also found the net, levelling the score at 3–3.
Despite the dramatic ending, the day belonged to Genoa. The match concluded with jubilant celebrations, as the team marked their historic promotion to Serie A. The entire youth academy joined the squad on the pitch, and the crowd responded with relentless cheering, underscoring the significance of the occasion.
Genoa: 21. Forcinella, 5. (c) Abate, 9. Ferrato, 10. Cuschieri, 15. Di Criscio, 17. Acuti, 20. Campora, 22. Bargi, 25. Cinotti, 44. Mele, 74. Lucafò.
Arezzo: 12. Pieri, 6. Licco, 11. Barsali, 14. Bruini, 23. Taddei, 33. Lorieri, 42. Toomey, 71. Fracas, 77. Martino, 83. Fortunati, 97. (c) Razzolini.
