Ajara, Chawinga On Target As Inter Beat Sassuolo

That fearsome front two of Nchout Ajara and Tabitha Chawinga ignited and sparked flames yet again, as Inter Milan defeated Sassuolo in the weekend’s action.

Coach Rita Guarino’s Inter side beat Sassuolo 3-0 to earn three huge points, that takes them to 32 points, two behind Juventus and Fiorentina. At KONAMI Youth Development Centre on matchday 16 in the Women’s Serie A TIM, goals from Ajara, Karchouni and Chawinga secured victory.

After a four-goal haul against AC Milan last time out, the Nerazzurre backed up that win with a strong performance against the Neroverde, led by Gianpiero Piovani, who came into the game on the back of defeat to Roma.

Inter lined up Fördős and Alborghetti in the centre of defence, Mihashi and Santi in midfield with Ajara, Karchouni and Chawinga supporting Elisa Polli up top. The first half was an even game, played with a good tempo, that eventually goalless at the break.

The chance came inside two minutes to the home side through a Polli attempt, after being set up by Karchouni. On the quarter-hour mark, Chawinga nearly caught Kresche by surprise with a shot at the near post, before three minutes later Merlo’s cross come shot saw the Neroverde keeper alert. After 22 minutes, Ajara tried her luck from a tight angle but failed to hit the target, and shortly after also Polli didn’t catch out Kresche at the near post. Five minutes before the break, Sassuolo came close through Filangeri’s shot, which flew over Durante’s bar. The first half ended with a Karchouni free-kick in stoppage time.

But the game came to life after the break, with Inter on the front foot and the right attitude: within five minutes, the Nerazzurre had turned the game on its head and found themselves with a twl goals up, thanks to Ajara after 54 minutes and Karchouni. After 71 minutes, Alessia Piazza came on to make her debut, replacing Durante who was forced off with an injury. The number 12 goalkeeper gave a good performance keeping out Monterubbiano’s attempt in the closing stages, which would have the brought the game back to 2-1. Instead, in stoppage time, Inter’s third came to kill the game off with a delightful move that ended with Bonetti backheeling to Chawinga, who rifled it past Kresche for her 13th goal of the season.

The Nerazzurre are next in action with a Coppa Italia cup tie against Sampdoria on Wednesday 8 February, before the next league game with Roma.