05 January 2018
With eight days remaining until their first competitive fixture of 2018, Juventus Women took the opportunity to gain valuable match practice this afternoon with a friendly against Serie B outfit, Real Meda, in which they ran out 7-2 winners.
Rita Guarino’s high-flying side started strongly, creating a number of chances in the opening stages: Katie Zelem saw a shot blocked on the line and Sofia Cantore was denied by opposition keeper Elena Ripamonti after being played clean through on goal by Sanni Franssi.
In the 18th minute, the Bianconere took the lead with Cantore directing Barbara Bonansea’s precise pass into the bottom corner. Three minutes later, Franssi fired in from point-blank range on the rebound to hand the hosts an early cushion.
On 27 minutes, Bonansea cut in from the left wing to curl an excellent shot inside the far post and the forward turned provider shortly before half-time, as she laid the ball on a plate for Tuija Hyyrynen to poke home the team’s fourth.
Guarino made a series of substitutions for the start of the second half. Michela Franco, wearing the captain’s armband as Cecilia Salvai had done during the first 45 minutes, fired narrowly wide just before the hour mark.
Following a period of sustained pressure, Juve extended their advantage in the 70th minute in eye-catching fashion as Flavia Devoto struck a stunning goal from the edge of the box into the top corner. Moments later, Katie Rood made it 6-0, tapping in Benedetta Glionna’s cross from close range.
Real Meda pulled a goal back through Claudia Zorzetto’s impressive long-range effort, but it took less than a minute for the hosts to re-establish a six-goal lead, Arianna Caruso chipping neatly over Nadia Pizzi in the opposition net.
With just two minutes left, Francesca Sironi scored the visitors’ second of the afternoon with a well-taken left-footed finish to produce a final scoreline of 7-2.
The Bianconere resume their season in earnest with next Saturday’s Serie A match at home to Fimauto Valpolicella (14.30 CET kick-off).
