20 September 2022
Juventus Women were held to a 1-1 first-leg draw with Køge in their UEFA Women's Champions League second round match in Denmark.
Despite the Bianconere getting off on the front foot tonight, it would be the home side to draw first blood, as Maddie Pokorny slotted home after just eight minutes of play. Juventus rallied however, and were level in the tie on 22 minutes, when Amanda Nilden rose highest to head home.
There were to be no further goals although the Danish champions did hit the crossbar after the restart. The tie is evenly balanced ahead of the second leg next Wednesday at Alessandria, where Joe Montemurro's Women will look to finish the job against their Danish counterparts.
THE MATCH
Juventus started with intent. As early as the third minute Lisa Boattin tested the home goalkeeper with a pile driver from distance, which Bridgette Skiba tipped wide. Five minutes later again Skiba was called into action as Sofia Cantore was found in an interesting position but her header lacked power.
Despite barely touching the ball, however, it was Køge that took the lead with their first attack, Kyra Carusa took on Martina Lenzini and her cut-back was tapped home by Maddie Pokorny.
NILDEN HEADS HOME
The nature of the match did not change. Køge continued to crowd midfield with five players and look to hit on the break with their direct brand of football, leaving possession to the Bianconere. Juventus continued to pick their passes patiently looking for the opening, which arrived after a series of three corners in succession. Boattin played the ball short to Annahita Zamanian, whose cross was met by Amanda Nilden, Her glancing header nestled into the back of the net.
SECOND HALF SCARE
Køge grew in confidence and were inches away from taking the lead for a second time 10 minutes into the second half. Beate Marcussen ran at the Juventus defence and her powerful left-foot shot struck the underside of the crossbar. The rebound called on a prompt save from Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. A let-off the the Bianconere.
In the closing 20 minutes momentum swung back in Juve's favour. Lineth Beerenstyn and Sofie Pedersen, both of whom had come off the bench, tested the home keeper, who proved up to the task.
At the final whistle while Køge celebrated the draw, Juventus were already thinking about completing the job in the second leg on Wednesday.
KØGE 1-1 JUVENTUS WOMEN (HT: 1-1)
SCORERS: 22’ Pokorny (K), 20’ Nilden (J).
JUVENTUS: Peyraud, Nilden, Lenzini, Sembrant, Boattin, Caruso (Beerensteyn 59’), Bonfantini (Pedersen 59’), Zemanian (Duljan 86’), Grosso (Girelli 78’), Cernoia, Cantore (Rosucci 86'). Subs not used: Aprile, Lundorf, Salvai, Arcangeli, Pfattner, Forcinella Coach: Montemurro.
KØGE: Skiba; Faerge, Svendsen, Norheim, Obaze, Marcussen; Pokorny, Jankovska, Uhre, Fløe: Carusa. Subs not used: Vingum Andersen, Solgaard Sørensen, Nielsen, Gildgjerg, Kozlova, Stockmar, Ostenfeld, Kramer, Marcussen, Belisle, Callesen. Coach: Randa-Bolt.
Referee: Demetrescu.
Assistants: Tepusa, Vad.
BOOKINGS: 22’ Obaze (K), 43’ Lenzini (J).
