Inter Milan Women began their UEFA Women's Champions League group stage campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over BK Häcken Women on September 23, 2026, at the Arena Civica in Milan. A second-half goal from substitute Elisa Polli proved decisive in a match that demanded patience, precision, and defensive resolve.

First Half: Patience vs. Resilience

Inter started brightly, controlling possession and probing for gaps in a well-organized Häcken defense. The Swedish side, known for their disciplined defensive structure, sat deep and looked to hit on the counter-attack. Inter's best chances in the first half fell to Annamaria Serturini, who forced a fine save from the Häcken goalkeeper, and Ghoutia Karchouni, whose long-range effort whistled just wide.

Häcken grew into the game and had a golden opportunity to take the lead against the run of play when their striker broke free, but Inter's goalkeeper, Katja Schroffenegger, produced a crucial one-on-one save to keep the score level. The half ended goalless, with Inter frustrated but firmly in control.

Second Half: Polli Breaks the Deadlock

Inter continued to push after the break, and their persistence paid off in the 67th minute. A cleverly worked move down the right saw the ball cut back to the edge of the box, where substitute Elisa Polli took a touch to compose herself and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner. The goal was greeted with relief and joy from the home crowd.

Häcken responded by pushing more players forward, and Inter had to defend resolutely in the final 20 minutes. The visitors nearly equalized with a header from a corner, but the effort clipped the top of the crossbar. Inter's defense, marshaled by captain Lisa Alborghetti, held firm to secure all three points.

Tactical Story: Breaking Down the Low Block

Inter's manager set up with a 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing width and quick ball circulation to stretch Häcken's compact 5-4-1 defensive shape. The full-backs pushed high, and the midfield trio of Karchouni, Flaminia Simonetti, and Beatrice Merlo worked tirelessly to recycle possession and find pockets of space. Häcken, meanwhile, were content to absorb pressure and launch rapid counter-attacks through their pacey forwards.

The key to Inter's victory was their patience and the impact of their substitutions. Polli's introduction added fresh energy and a clinical edge in front of goal. Häcken's defensive discipline was admirable, but they lacked the final touch in the attacking third.

Standout Players

• Elisa Polli (Inter Milan Women): Came off the bench to score the decisive goal, showcasing her poaching instincts and composure.
• Katja Schroffenegger (Inter Milan Women): Made a vital first-half save to deny Häcken and commanded her box confidently throughout.
• Lisa Alborghetti (Inter Milan Women): Led by example at the back, winning crucial duels and organizing the defense to keep a clean sheet.
• Häcken's goalkeeper: Despite the defeat, she made several excellent saves to keep her team in the match until the final whistle.

Match Statistics

What It Means for the Group

The win gives Inter Milan Women a perfect start to their UEFA Women's Champions League campaign and three crucial points in what is expected to be a tightly contested group. For BK Häcken Women, the defeat leaves them with work to do, but their resilient performance suggests they will be no pushovers in the return fixtures.

Inter will look to build on this victory when they travel to face their next group opponent, while Häcken will regroup and aim to bounce back in front of their home supporters. The result also underlines Inter's growing stature in European women's football, as they continue to challenge the traditional powers on the continental stage.