Bianconere secure important win against Inter | OneFootball

Juventus Women First Team responded in the best possible way following their set back in Rome, as they secured a home victory over Inter Milan – who sit second in the league table - and consequently stretch their lead at the top of the Women's Serie A standings to 7 points. They ran out 2-0 winners thanks to two goals in the space of three minutes in the first half, with goals from Sofia Cantore and Cristiana Girelli, who celebrated her 200th Bianconere appearance in the best way possible

We relive the action in the match report, as well as providing the post-match interviews and the team sheets.

THE MATCH REPORT

It was a complicated top of the table clash for Juventus Women, who immediately tried to put the Nerazzurre defence under pressure - creating a couple of potentially dangerous situations from free kicks in the first ten minutes of the match. The first big chance fell the way of Inter, with Annamaria Serturini breaking free down the right flank and delivering the ball into the middle: Tessa Wullaert tried to divert the ball goalwards, but her effort from the centre of the box flew high over the crossbar.

The stakes were high and the defensive concentration from both teams meant that the tempo inevitably slowed, with Inter briefly calling Pauline Peyraud-Magnin into action midway through the first half after Martina Tomaselli turned well in the box, but her low shot didn't cause any problems for the Bianconere goalkeeper who easily saved the effort.

Juventus made their first real attack of the match count, after a super passage of play in the 27th minute gave the Bianconere the lead: Girelli ran in behind before backheeling the ball to Cantore who took full advantage of the opportunity from an excellent position and scored her eighth league goal of the season to put her side ahead.

Inter were left stunned and Juventus Women took advantage: as three minutes later Barbara Bonansea got away from two opponents down the left and delivered a magnificent cross into the middle, Girelli’s initial effort was well saved by Cecilia Runarsdottir, but she could only parry the ball back to the feet of the Juventus number 10 who made it 2-0 - the best way to celebrate her 200th appearance for Juventus Women.

The Nerazzurre struggled to react to going two behind, with Tomaselli unable to generate enough power behind her header in the box. The Bianconere controlled the game well, and tried to find a third goal before half time but they went into the break with the scoreline 2-0.

In the second half the tempo of the game became more hectic, with the Nerazzurre trying to force a swing in momentum in the first ten minutes of the second period, as well as making some substitutions to try and reverse their fortunes, but they were unable to cause many problems for the Juve defence.

In the 60th minute Juventus threatened at the other end and Girelli was able to play Hanna Bennison in behind with some great play, however, the midfielder was unable to pick out Bonansea who would have been one on one with the goalkeeper, and the opportunity went begging. Peyraud-Magnin was on hand to deny Inter going up the other end to halve the deficit, as 60 seconds later, she saved several Inter attempts, first punching a cross clear, then blocking a close range shot and finally dealing with a strike from distance.

Inter created their best chance to get back into the game through Serturini, but her shot from a good position in the 68th minute went over the crossbar, which marked the start of a more open and hard-fought end to the game.

Ten minutes passed and in the 77th minute Elisa Polli managed to get free in the centre of the Juventus penalty area, but her effort was wayward. Despite coming under some late pressure, the Bianconere defence held firm to protect their clean sheet, also thanks to Peyraud-Magnin's quality between the sticks.

The Bianconere were able to see the game out to beat Inter 2-0 to claim three important points that give them a 7 point lead in the league standings after 16 matches played.

POST-MATCH PRESS ROOM

MASSIMILIANO CANZI

“I am very happy with the girls' performance: I had said after the match against Roma that there are still a lot of points to play for and I still think believe that, we didn't stay down after the first set back and we won't get excited now - although I am very happy with what I saw on the pitch. They thought we were struggling, and the girls were good at working with the right attitude: this is the kind of team I like.”

CRISTIANA GIRELLI

“It was the evening I dreamt of: I knew I was celebrating an important goal and I remember that on my 100th appearance it didn't go well, instead this time everything was perfect. We started the game with the right aggression, we put in a great performance and I'm proud of that: we wanted to leave behind the setback six days ago and make it clear that that was not the real Juventus. It was a perfect game for me to get the goal and the assist. I'm lucky because numbers and performances are the best way to respond to criticism: scoring goals for a striker is important, because we are judged according to that. The work we do going forward also serves the team regardless of the goals: we are the first line of defence, and I hope to continue like this. There's no secret to longevity, just a lot of desire to do well and a lot of work: I never take anything for granted and I try to make the most of the opportunities I'm given. I feel the responsibility to always do well when I am called upon.”

MARTINA ROSUCCI

“We showed all our character in this match: we had a difficult week and we wanted to show that it was only a blip. Today I am happy because I saw the fire in everyone's eyes, we wanted to take the victory from the first minute and we were also good under pressure: I am very proud. I waited for this moment with patience, working and waiting for my chance: I knew it would come and I wanted to be ready. I'm happy to have helped the team in an important match: being there is fundamental because for me Juventus Women represents everything. My physical condition at the moment helps me and allows me to help the others as well and this is the best way to know I'm back. We talked a lot at the back and, although my voice is not the most pleasant, I made myself heard.”

JUVENTUS 2-0 INTER MILAN

Pozzo La Marmora (Biella), Friday 24 January, 2025 at 18:30 (CET) Women’s Serie A – Matchday 16

Goals: 27’ Cantore (J), 30’ Girelli (J)

Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Rosucci, Harviken, Lenzini, Krumbiegel (69’ Thomas), Schatzer (78’ Brighton), Bennison (68’ Caruso), Boattin, Cantore (87’ Vangsgaard), Girelli, Bonansea (77’ Beccari). Unused Substitutes: Lehmann, Bergamaschi, Calligaris, Cocino, Capelletti, Gallo, Proulx. Coach: Massimiliano Canzi.

Inter: Runardsdottir, Bowen, Milinkovic, Fordos (55’ Schough), Merlo, Tomaselli (46’ Detruyer), Csiszar (79’ Karchouni), Magull, Serturini (88’ Bartoli), Wullaert (55’ Bugeja), Polli. Unused Substitutes: Pedersen, Santi, Pavan, Robustellini, Fadda, Robbioni, Baldi. Coach: Gianpiero Piovani.

Referee: Juan Luca Sacchi Assistants: Elena Linari, Domenico Palermo Fourth Official: Daniele Chindamo

Bookings: 33’ Harviken (J), 90+1’ Polli (I)

Next Match:

Juventus-Lazio Women’s Coppa Italia – Quarter Final – Second Leg Thursday, 30 January 2025 at 18:00 (CET) Pozzo La Marmora (Biella)