25 January 2023
Juventus Women took an important step towards the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a three-goal victory over H&D ChievoVerona Women. The Bianconere grabbed all their goals in the first half through a spectacular double from Cristiana Girelli and a penalty from Valentina Cernoia.
What's more, Joe Montemurro's side secured their first clean sheet in their cup run this season.
THE MATCH
Juve had already survived a scare in front of their own goal but on six minutes when Martina Rosucci flighted in a cross there was no stopping Cristiana Girelli from continuing her scoring streak in this season’s Coppa Italia.
The number 10’s first attempt at an overhead kick was blocked by a Chievo defender then on the deck Girelli attempted the spectacular a second time and fired the ball into the bottom corner.
The striker added a second five minutes later. Lineth Beerensteyn was sent tumbling outside of the penalty area by the Chievo goalkeeper Asia Sargenti, booked for her troubles, which were far from over.
Girelli took aim from the edge of the box and drilled a low shot with precision into the same corner she had found for the game’s opening goal.
Not satisfied, Girelli threw herself at another scissors-kick attempt before the half hour, but this time her effort was blocked effectively by the home defence.
As the match approached half time, Beerensteyn was held back unfairly from reaching Elisa Pfattner’s deep cross. The referee awarded Juve a penalty, which Girelli generously allowed Valentina Cernoia to take. The experienced midfielder made no mistake from 12 yards.
Girelli and Cernoia linked up well at the start of the second half as Juve looked to push further ahead. The quick exchange set up a chance for Sofia Cantore, who couldn’t find the decisive touch in front of goal.
The centre forward had another chance to put her name on the scoresheet on 70 minutes, when she was sent through on goal, but her first touch allowed the Chievo keeper to smother the danger.
Cantore was determined to put her name on the scoresheet and came close again nine minutes later when she controlled the ball instantaneously and with her back to goal attempted an acrobatic effort, which went over the crossbar. It wasn’t to be for the number 9 as she was soon replaced by Ginevra Moretti, who made her First Team debut.
Juventus continued to press as the game headed towards the final whistle without adding to their first half goals.
With the second leg to play on February 8, the Bianconere know they have put down more than a claim to be half way towards qualifying for the Coppa Italia semi-final.
CHIEVOVERONA WOMEN 0-3 JUVENTUS WOMEN (HT: 0-3)
SCORERS: 6′ & 11’ Girelli, 40′ Cernoia (pen)
CHIEVOVERONA: Sargenti; Mascanzoni, Zanoletti, Corrado, Mele; Dallagiacoma (81′ Caneo), Kiem, Tardini (69′ Salaorni), Massa (57′ Alborghetti); Scuratti (69′ Manca), Ferrato (81′ Willis). Subs not used: Bettineschi, Boglioni, Tunoaia, Mombelli. Coach: Venturi.
JUVENTUS: Aprile; Rosucci, Sembrant, Lenzini; Pfattner, Caruso (74′ Schatzer), Cernoia, Boattin (62′ Bonfantini); Cantore (81’ Moretti), Girelli (62′ Bertucci), Beerensteyn (62′ Duljan). Subs not used: Forcinella, Gama, Lundorf, Pedersen. Coach: Montemurro.
Referee: Gasperotti
BOOKINGS: 10′ Sargenti, 45+1′ Cantore
