22 August 2020
From Verona, where last championship ended, to the beginning of the new Serie A season for Juventus Women. Coach Rita Guarino couldn't have hoped for a better start to the 2020/21 campaign, as her girls won 2-0 at the Sinergy Stadium with goals from Cristiana Girelli and Arianna Caruso decisive. The same goalscorers from last season's winning debut (on that occasion in Vinovo against Empoli).
GOALLESS AT THE HALF
Despite the convincing finish to the game, the Bianconere were made to work for the win, with Verona showing their resilience in what was a goalless first half. Juve dominated the play from the off and had two chances immediately in both the fourth and fifth minute, but neither Aurora Galli nor Girelli could find the target. However, Lisa Boattin stepped up with a great free-kick from a tight angle that agonisingly struck the post on 15 minutes. The woodwork would again play a pivotal part in denying Barbara Bonansea's header just before the end of the half.
CARUSO & GIRELLI DECISIVE
The Bianconere emerged from the locker room in the second half with the same determination that they showed in the first and it didn't take long to finally break down the stubborn Verona defence. Girelli opened Juve's account for the season in classic Girelli fashion, heading home from a corner kick. It was to be two, just three minutes later when some great combination play between Girelli and Bonansea led the ball into the path of Caruso who's left-footed strike gave Francesca Durante no chance in the Verona goal. Despite the Bianconere's dominance, Verona found themselves with a way back into the match 10 minutes from time. Laura Giuliani was adjudged to have brought down on-loan forward Asia Bragonzi and a penalty was awarded to the hosts. However, Rossella Sardu failed to covert kicking high and wide. In the closing stages the frame of the goal would once again deny Bonansea who hit the crossbar. In the dying embers, Alice Berti replaced Caruso to make her Bianconere debut, a big moment for the 16-year old born in 2003.
GUARINO'S COMMENTS
"It was important to start off on the right foot by winning the three points on a difficult pitch like that of Verona's and in a period in which the high temperatures are felt especially now that we are at the beginning of the season and our conditions are not yet at 100%. I'm happy with the result and having given Alice Berti the chance to make her Serie A debut. We'll keep these three points tight and start thinking about the next one."
