Ternana W vs AC Milan W: Serie A Women Showdown
Stadio Libero Liberati hosts a high-stakes clash on 17 May 2026 as Ternana W welcome AC Milan W in the final round of the Serie A Women regular season. The home side start the day in 11th place with 14 points and a -22 goal difference, while Milan arrive in Terni sitting 6th on 32 points and with a positive goal difference of +6. For Ternana, this is about survival, pride and momentum; for Milan, it is about consolidating a solid campaign and finishing strongly in the upper half of the table.
Form and context
In the league, the contrast in trajectories is stark. Ternana W’s recent form column reads “LLDLD”, underlining a side struggling to turn performances into points. Across all phases, they have taken just 3 wins from 21 matches, with 13 defeats and 5 draws. The defensive record is especially concerning: 40 goals conceded, an average of 1.9 per match, and a goal difference of -22.
AC Milan W, by contrast, come into this fixture on a “WLDWD” league run, reflecting a more stable and competitive season. Across all phases they have 9 wins, 5 draws and 7 defeats from 21 games, scoring 31 and conceding 25. Their balance between attack and defence is far stronger than Ternana’s, and they have shown they can take points both home and away.
At home in the league, Ternana have been more resilient: 2 wins, 4 draws and 4 defeats from 10 matches, scoring 14 and conceding 17. They average 1.4 goals scored and 1.7 conceded per home game. Milan’s away record is relatively solid: 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats in 10, with 13 goals scored and only 10 conceded, averaging 1.3 for and 1.0 against. Those numbers suggest Milan are comfortable on their travels and are capable of controlling games away from Milan.
Tactical tendencies
Ternana W have experimented tactically this season but most often line up in variations of a back four. Their most used formation is 4-3-3 (6 matches), complemented by 4-1-3-2 (4 matches), with occasional switches to 3-4-1-2, 4-4-2 and 4-3-1-2. This hints at a side still searching for the right structure, particularly in balancing their attacking intent with defensive solidity.
The numbers underline that tension. Across all phases, Ternana average just 0.9 goals per game (18 in 21) while conceding 1.9. At home they are more dangerous going forward (1.4 goals per game, 14 in 10), but that comes at a cost defensively (1.7 conceded per home match). They have kept 4 clean sheets in total but failed to score in 10 of 21 matches, showing how often their attack has misfired.
AC Milan W are more settled tactically. They have leaned heavily on a 4-3-3 (10 matches), occasionally switching to 4-1-4-1, 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2. This consistency has helped them build a clear identity: structured in midfield, with width in attack and a relatively secure back line. Across all phases they average 1.5 goals scored and 1.2 conceded per match. Away from home they are particularly disciplined defensively, conceding just 10 in 10 away games (1.0 per match) and keeping 4 clean sheets overall.
Discipline may also play a part. Ternana tend to pick up yellow cards late in games, with 22.22% of their bookings coming between 76-90 minutes, while Milan’s yellow-card peak is also in the closing stages (31.58% from 76-90). Ternana have had 2 red cards in the 31-45 minute range; Milan have seen reds spread across the second half (one each between 46-60, 61-75 and 76-90). In a tense season finale, managing emotions could be crucial.
Key players and attacking threats
For Ternana W, the standout attacking figure is V. Pirone. The 34-year-old attacker has scored 6 league goals and provided 1 assist across all phases, with 23 shots (9 on target) and a rating of 7.22. She is central to Ternana’s chance creation, with 14 key passes and 205 total passes at 61% accuracy. Importantly, Pirone has also been a major factor from the penalty spot, winning 5 penalties and scoring 5, though she has missed 1. Her ability to draw fouls (37 won) and occupy defenders will be vital against Milan’s organised back line.
In midfield, 19-year-old Giada Cimò has been another bright spot for Ternana. With 3 goals and 1 assist, 20 shots (12 on target) and a 7.22 rating across all phases, she offers drive and end product from midfield. Cimò has 25 tackles and 72 duels won from 135, plus 15 key passes, underlining her two-way influence. If Ternana are to compete in midfield against Milan’s structure, Cimò’s energy and ball-winning will be essential.
For AC Milan W, Kayleigh van Dooren has been a key attacking midfielder. She has 5 goals across all phases, from 18 shots (12 on target), and averages a 6.9 rating. Her passing (242 total, 78% accuracy, 8 key passes) suggests she is an important link between midfield and attack. Although she has 14 fouls committed and a red card on her record this season, her technical quality and threat from central areas will be a major concern for Ternana’s defence.
Milan’s attack overall is more balanced than Ternana’s. Their biggest away win this season is 0-3, and they have scored up to 3 goals away from home. Their “failed to score” count (7 matches across all phases) is lower than Ternana’s, and combined with their defensive record, it paints the picture of a side that can manage games effectively.
Head-to-head record
The recent competitive head-to-head history between these two clubs is short but telling, and there are only two relevant matches in the data set.
On 14 September 2025 in the Serie A Cup Women group stage, AC Milan W beat Ternana W 2-1 at Centro Sportivo Peppino Vismara in Milan. On 25 January 2026 in the Serie A Women regular season, again at Centro Sportivo Peppino Vismara, Milan won 3-0 at home. That means, in the last two competitive meetings, AC Milan W have 2 wins, Ternana W have 0, and there have been 0 draws.
Both of those matches were played in Milan; this will be the first meeting at Stadio Libero Liberati in the provided data, adding a new dimension as Ternana look to leverage home advantage.
Penalties and fine margins
From the spot, Ternana’s team-level data shows 6 penalties scored from 6 across all phases, with none missed. At individual level, Pirone has scored 5 and missed 1, underlining that while she is a primary taker and a significant threat, her record is not flawless. Milan, by contrast, have not taken any penalties this season according to the data (0 total, 0 scored, 0 missed), so there is no established spot-kick pattern for them.
In a tight match, Ternana’s ability to win penalties through Pirone’s movement and physical presence could be one of their most realistic routes to goal, especially against a Milan defence that generally concedes few chances away from home.
The verdict
All indicators point towards AC Milan W entering this fixture as favourites. They are higher in the league (6th vs 11th), have a significantly better goal difference (+6 vs -22), a stronger recent form line (“WLDWD” vs “LLDLD”) and a more settled tactical identity. Their away record is balanced and defensively sound, and they have already beaten Ternana twice this season, 2-1 and 3-0, both in Milan.
Ternana W’s hope lies in home advantage, improved attacking output at Stadio Libero Liberati, and the individual quality of players like V. Pirone and Giada Cimò. Their home record shows they can compete (2 wins, 4 draws, 4 defeats), and if they can tighten up defensively while feeding their key attackers, they are capable of making this far more competitive than the table suggests.
However, given Milan’s superior consistency, stronger defensive numbers and recent head-to-head edge, the logical expectation is an away win, with Milan likely to control large spells of the game and Ternana relying on moments of individual brilliance and set-piece or penalty opportunities to stay in touch.
