18 March 2023
Despite not enjoying an ideal lead up to the match, Juventus Women managed to collect all three points for the first time this season against Milan.
Just before kick off Sara Gunnarsdóttir waved the white flag, so Joe Montemurro chose to field Cristiana Girelli from the start and shifted to a 4-4-2 formation.
The game's first goal came 10 minutes into the second half after a solo run from Lineth Beerensteyn. The winger then earned a penalty in injury time. Arianna Caruso converted to ensure Juve started the Scudetto phase with an important win over the only side that has had the better of the Bianconere this league campaign.
THE MATCH
Juve were aggresive from kick off and pinned the visitors immediately back inside their own half.
In the ninth minute Barbara Bonansea latched on to an intelligent header from Paulina Nyström. The winger’s shot was blocked as was Lineth Beerenteyn’s on the follow up. Immediately after, the Swedish striker, on her first start in Serie A, struck a wicked shot from the edge of the box that swerved just wide.
Although the Bianconere started strongly they risked trailing after 28 minutes. A high ball played into the area prompted Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to come racing off her line, only to collide with Christy Grimshaw. From the penalty spot, Marta Piemonte powered her shot high and wide.
A minute later Valentina Bergamaschi used her pace to keep the ball in play and cross from the deadball line. The delivery reached Piemonte, whose shot slid wide.
On 37’ the Rossonere striker tried to make amends, using her strength to find a shooting angle inside the area. Peyraud-Magnin was alert to the danger and made an important block.
After holding off Milan’s attempts to get on the scoresheet, it was Juve that finished the first half on the attack, but were unable to find the opening in front of Laura Giuliani's goal to seriously test the former Bianconera.
A quiet start to the second half gave no hint to what would happen in the space of two minutes.
Beerensteyn received possession on the left flank on 55 minutes and when she opened her stride in a blink of an eye she was inside the penalty area. A low angled shot placed the ball into the far corner.
It was just reward for the Dutch winger, who had attempted the same move on Juve's previous attack but was frustrated to see her shot deflected for a corner.
Two minutes later the home defence failed to clear a cross flighted into the area. The ball eventually reached Bergamaschi, whose shot struck the base of the post.
The visitors continued to press. Again Piemonte used her strength to shoot on the turn. Again Peyraud-Magnin was equal to the striker.
Amanda Nildén made it a perfect week for her. After renewing her contract, the full-back returned to action following injury in late October.
Late into stoppage time, Beerensteyn's pace again did the damage. As she charged to the byeline she was tripped and the referee pointed to the spot for the second time. Arianna Caruso drilled the penalty low under Giuliani to underline Juve's superiority.
JUVENTUS WOMEN 2-0 MILAN (HT: 0-0)
SCORERS: 55’ Beerensteyn, 90+5’ Caruso (pen)
JUVENTUS: Peyraud Magnin; Gama (79′ Nilden), Salvai, Sembrant, Lenzini; Bonansea (62′ Cantore), Caruso, Grosso, Beerensteyn; Nystrom, Girelli (90+2′ Duljan). Subs not used: Aprile, Forcinella, Simon, Schatzer, Pfattner. Coach: Montemurro.
MILAN: Giuliani; Arnadottir, Mesjasz, Nouwen, Thrige; K. Dubcova, Mascarello (74′ Adami), Grimshaw; Bergamaschi (82′ Bahlouli), Piemonte, Thomas. Subs not used: Fedele, Babb, Fusetti, Vigilucci, Soffia, Dubcova, Cesarini. Coach: Ganz.
Referee: Monaldi
BOOKINGS: 7′ Bergamaschi, 45′ Mascariello, 77′ Arnadottir, 90+5' Mesjasz
