24 September 2022
Diverting attention from their bid to qualify for the Champions League group stage, Juventus Women returned to domestic competition with their Serie A Matchday 3 fixture against Sassuolo.
Despite Sara Gunnarsdóttir and Arianna Caruso joining the list of injured players, Joe Montemurro still had plenty of talent to choose from, including the timely return of Sara Gama. Although the captain took a place on the subs bench, making her first start since signing this summer was Swedish teenager Evelina Duljan.
THE MATCH
Sassuolo were already the team that Cristiana Girelli had punished more than any other since donning the black and white stripes. The hosts had let that fact slip in 21’ when Valentina Cernoia’s cross picked out Girelli unmarked at the far post. The number 10 powered her header back across the face of goal into the far corner for her ninth against the side from Emilia.
Girelli came close to making it 10 in the closing minutes of the first half when her free-kick struck the crossbar.
Earlier, again Cernoia’s tried-and-trusted left foot had delivered with precision from a corner kick. This time though, Sofie Perdersen’s header was tipped onto the crossbar by the Neroverde keeper Isabella Kresche. From the resulting corner Cernoia gave Pedersen another opportunity to add goal number two but the Juve number two headed wide.
Sassuolo had not posed a threat in the opening 45 minutes, but that would change after the interval.
The hosts equalised on their first foray forward. 63 minutes were on the clock when Davina Philtjens netted a cross from Valeria Monterubbiano. The situation went from bad to worse when 15 minutes later Valentina Cernoia was shown a straight red card for a foul on the half-way line.
The Bianconere had lost the impetus but still came close to claiming all three points in a nervy finale. On 89' Lisa Boattin hit the post direct from a free kick with Kresche beaten.
The referee then issued another red card, sending off Asia Bragonzi, on loan from Juve, in stoppages. There was still time for another chance, which fell to Lineth Beerensteyn, but she couldn't turn her header on target.
The home team held on for their first point of the season. Juventus remain unbeaten and now return their thoughts to UWCL and Køge in midweek.
SASSUOLO 1-1 JUVENTUS WOMEN (HT: 0-1)
SCORERS: 21’ Girelli (J), 63’ Philtjens (S)
SASSUOLO: Kresche; Pleidrup, Filangeri, Dongus; Philtjens, Bellucci, Jane, Nagy, Mella (46′ Monterubbiano); Clelland (75′ Nowak), Popadinova (72′ Bragonzi). Subs not used: Lonni, Goldoni, Moraca, Brignoli, Realista, Tudisco. Coach: Piovani.
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin; Lundorf, Salvai, Sembrant (80′ Lenzini), Nilden (65′ Boattin); Rosucci, Pedersen (65′ Zamanian), Cernoia; Duljan (75′ Bonfantini), Girelli (65′ Cantore), Beerensteyn. Subs not used: Aprile, Gama, Grosso, Arcangeli. Coach: Montemurro.
Referee: Nicolini.
BOOKINGS: 45’ Mella (S), 55' Popadinova (S), 90'+5 Bonfantini (J).
SENDING OFF: 76’ Cernoia (J), 90’+1 Bragonzi (S).
