A free kick in the 73rd minute led to the only goal of the Coppa Italia Femminile first-leg tie between Fiorentina and Milan on Wednesday, with the return leg set to take place on 7 or 8 February.

The match was staged at the Stadio Comunale Torrini in Sesto Fiorentino, where Milan gained the upper hand in the battle to obtain a semi-final berth. It was a cagey start to the contest, with both sides studying each other and tactics coming out on top in the spectacle initially.

On 15 minutes, Greta Adami called Katja Schroffenegger into action to keep out a right-footed effort from long range before Lindsey Thomas had a wonderful chance in the six-yard box, but was denied by the goalkeeper. Swedish forward Pauline Hammerlund raced on to Tucceri Cimini’s bouncing pass to strike a shot just wide of the post on her left foot as the teams went in goalless at the interval.

The game came to life in 60 second-half seconds when both sides hit the woodwork. Hammerlund’s right-footed effort came back off the bar before Valery Vigilucci’s cross rebounded off the frame of the goal.

The pivotal moment came on 73 minutes when Martina Piemonte steered a free kick into the back of the net. Fiorentina went in search of an equaliser but were unable to break down the Rossoneri in the final stages. There were two late penalty appeals for the hosts, one on Stephanie Breitner and the other on Miriam Longo, but the referee would not be swayed.

After five minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle was blown and Milan will have a slender one-goal lead to defend in the return leg on 7 or 8 February.

Next up for Fiorentina Women is a Serie A clash with Pomigliano at home at 14:30 CET on Saturday.

ACF Fiorentina 0-1 AC Milan (HT: 0-0)
Scorer: Piemonte 73.

ACF FIORENTINA: Schroffenegger, Agard, Breitner (C), Tucceri Cimini, Erzen, Severini, Johannsdottir, Boquete (Longo 77), Monnecchi (Catena 63), Kajan, Hammarlund.
Subs not used: Menta, Jackmon, Tortelli, Parisi, Baldi, Vitale, Russo.
Coach: Patrizia Panico.

AC MILAN: Babb, Andersen (Bergamaschi 67), Arnadottir, Nouwen, Fusetti (Mesjasz 67), Adami (Guagni 71), Dubcova K., Grimshaw, Piemonte, Thomas, Soffia (Vigilucci 50).
Subs not used: Giuliani, Asslani, Mascarello, Fedele, Dubcova M.
Coach: Maurizio Ganz.

Booked: Severini.