19 November 2022
Write off this Juventus side at your peril.
Despite over 20 attempts on target, despite an apparently unbeatable opposition goalkeeper, despite still trailing after the 90th minute, the Bianconere still managed to bring all three points back from the Tardini stadium against a valiant Parma.
'Fino alla fine' - more than a slogan, it is a mentality that was proved true once again as Juve rallied to a 2-1 success.
THE MATCH
Juventus enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages with the much-changed starting XI, also due to a late call-off by Cecilia Salvai.
On 17 minutes the Bianconere looked dangerous via a free-kick from Cristiana Girelli, which failed to curl sufficiently to sneak in at the post. A minute later, however, Parma broke up the pitch and found the game’s opening goal.
Juve were guilty of overplaying their way out of defence, allowing Niamh Farrelly to intercept and deliver a quick cross. Melania Martinovic evaded the offside trap to head the ball beyond Roberta Aprile.
Parma’s goal was certainly a blow to Juve confidence but the team continued to probe the home defence in search of a way through.
On 41 minutes, the Bianconere threatened again from distance. Girelli hit a vicious drive, which Alessia Capelletti tipped over the crossbar. The Parma goalkeeper then outdid herself from the subsequent corner. Arianna Caruso’s inswinger was met by Sofie Pedersen from close range only for Capelletti to produce an excellent reflex save on her goal line.
Juve put the foot down on the accelerator after the break, but found Capelletti in inspired form. Three times the Parma keeper performed heroics to frustrate the Bianconere. First she managed to touch a shot from the edge of the six-yard box from Girelli, who she then denied again a few minutes later from a shot destined for the bottom corner from the height of the penalty spot. In between, Caruso, set up by a Girelli back heel, had her effort saved at the near post.
Just after the hour mark, Joe Montemurro reshuffled the side with the introduction of Barbara Bonansea, Sofia Cantore and Agnese Bonfantini. The three forwards immediately set about the Parma defence, especially Cantore, who came close to the equaliser when she ran on to Matilde Lundorf’s cross, but her header went agonisingly the wrong side of the post.
With 11 minutes remaining, again the Capelletti-Girelli duel took centre stage, and again the home keeper came out on top. Then, when Girelli did eventually beat the Parma shot-stopper, with three minutes of normal time to play, the ball bounced back off the post.
With time running out, Juve upped their efforts.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Lisa Boattin accepted the responsibility and with her tried and tested left foot rifled a shot high into the net. Juve sensed the unthinkable - a stoppage time winner. With the last kick of the match that is exactly what happened. Again Boattin received possession at the edge of the area, but this time she chose to play the ball into the area. A deft lay-off by Girelli found Sara Gunnarsdóttir, whose sweet left foot shot flew beyond Capelletti to complete a memorable turnaround.
The morale raising victory arrived ahead of the Champions League showdown with Arsenal in midweek.
PARMA 1-2 JUVENTUS WOMEN (HT: 1-0)
SCORERS: 19′ Martinovic (P), 90'+2 Boattin (J), 90’+6 Gunnarsdóttir(J).
PARMA: Capelletti; Santoro, Heroum, Jelencic, Williams; Farrelly, Benoit, Bardin; Cambiaghi (77′ Acuti), Martinovic, Banusic (84′ Arrigoni). Subs not used: Ciccioli, Giovana Maia, Caiazzo, Remondini, Tinti, Puntoni, Nicolini. Coach: Panico.
JUVENTUS: Aprile; Lundorf (83′ Duljan), Lenzini, Rosucci, Boattin; Caruso (72′ Zamanian), Gunnarsdóttir, Pedersen (62′ Cantore); Beerensteyn (62′ Bonansea), Girelli, Cernoia (62′ Bonfantini). Subs not used: Peyraud-Magnin, Forcinella, Sembrant, Grosso. Coach: Montemurro.
Referee: Calzavara.
BOOKINGS: 45′ Farrelly (P), 48′ Jelencic (P), 60′ Martinovic (P), 65′ Caruso (J).
