14 November 2020
Perhaps Juventus Women’s most hard-fought victory of the campaign thus far came this weekend, as Rita Guarino’s girls managed to make it eight wins out of eight played, having trailed to Florentia in Tuscany, only to come back to win in the second half.
It took just three minutes for the first Juve chance, as Lisa Boattin’s dangerous ball found Martina Rosucci to go ever so close with a great chance, but Florentia’s goalkeeper, Seraina Friedli was able to hold. Just prior to the half-hour mark, Florentia had a dangerous chance of their own, with Florin Wagner hitting a powerful shot that tested Laura Giuliani in the Juve goal.
Proving to be a half of precious few chances, Florentia put up a strong fight, but the Bianconere would again go close almost five minutes from time, as Barbara Bonansea’s header at goal went just wide. It would prove to be a telling miss, as on 44 minutes, Florentia took the lead as Wagner’s curling shot on the edge of the box left Giuliani rooted to the spot.
However, despite being a goal down at the break, it didn’t take Juventus Women long to get going in the second half, as after just 54 minutes the Bianconere were level. A scramble in the box led to Arianna Caruso profiting from a defensive mix-up to turn home the equaliser.
Just two minutes later and it was a penalty to Juve, as Friedli took out substitute Lina Hurtig as the Swede raced onto a through-ball in the box. Cristiana Girelli made no mistake from 12 yards going straight down the middle to give Guarino’s girls the advantage in Tuscany.
Florentia tried to fight their way back but Melania Martinovic’s shot from distance was comfortably held by Giuliani. Back up the other end, substitute, Maria Alves’ put in a perfect cross by Sofie Pedersen just couldn’t get there for the tap-in to make it 3-1.
The game became a back and forth affair between the Bianconere and the hosts, as each side knew that it would take just one chance for the game to swing in a decisive direction, but it failed to materialise for either side and Juventus Women hung on to claim their eighth-straight win of the season.
