06 October 2021
Juventus got their 2021/22 Women’s Champions League Group Stage campaign off to the perfect start, three stunning strikes from Arianna Caruso, Lina Hurtig and Valentina Cernoia handing the Bianconere all three points in a 3-0 victory over Servette Chenois in Geneva.
Juventus took the initiative from the start, taking just two minutes to register their first sniff at goal as Martina Rosucci’s cross was poked goalwards by Andrea Staskova, who was unable to get the desired contact.
It was a sign of things to come as the Bianconere started to boss proceedings, dominating the midfield as they pegged back the Swiss defence. After finding space in the centre of the park, Annahita Zamanian unleashed a shot from range which sailed wide, serving as a reminder to the Swiss of her ball-striking ability. In the same fashion, Matilde Lundorf and Lisa Boattin then tried their luck from range, without success, but the knocks on the Servette door were certainly getting louder.
Something had to give, and in the 26th minute, Agnese Bonfantini was bundled over in the box as a penalty was awarded to the visiting side. Staskova stepped up to take responsibility, but her side-footed effort was denied as the scoreboard remained unchanged.
The Bianconere refused to be bogged down by the lost opportunity, and the penalty miss was soon forgotten: an-inch perfect cross was met by a perfectly-timed run into the box by Arianna Caruso, her first-time volley rocking the back of the net as she celebrated this week’s contract renewal with her side’s opening goal of the Champions League Group Stage.
Servette came close to grabbing an equaliser right away, an effort from distance forcing Pauline Peyraud-Magnin into a diving save – her first major contribution in the game. Juventus would come agonisingly close to doubling their lead just before the close of the first half:Bonfantini and Boattin exchanged passes, the latter’s low drive into the box splitting the Servette defence as an unmarked Hurtig failed to direct her powerful shot on goal.
Hurtig was at it again just two minutes into the second stanza, controlling the ball beautifully before delivering a fierce strike on goal which opposition shot-stopper Teixeira had to be alert to.
The pressure from the visitors was relentless, Juventus keen to capitalise on their numerous chances created and convert them into goals. And they would soon be rewarded: Staskova’s quick feet led to a perfect lay-off for Hurtig, whose accurate strike put the Bianconere two goals to the good.
Again Servette reacted straight away, hitting the post from a Padilla-Bidas header as the hosts looked for a way back.
Coach Joe Montemurro then brought on fresh legs to add even more impetus into the game, and his change brought about an immediate result: barely on the pitch for a minute, Valentina Cernoia found herself unmarked on the edge of the box, receiving a pass before choosing her spot and blasting in the Bianconere’s third.
Juventus were hungry for more, Staskova almost going from provider to scorer as her goalbound shot brought about a fingertip save to deny the Italians a fourth. Servette keeper Teixeira was kept busy until the final whistle, her palms stung late-on by another Staskova effort as the Bianconere looked to more gloss to the scoreline.
But 3-0 it would remain, a comfortable victory in the end to hand Juventus a well-earned three points away from home, and the perfect start to the first-ever Women’s Champions League Group Stage campaign.
INTERVIEWS
Lina Hurtig: «I’m really happy right now, winning 3-0 was a great result for us. The support of the fans really means a lot. We really missed them. This is the first time for me with the fans – last season we played in empty stadiums, so it was really fun here tonight. I think I should have scored at least one more goal today, but of course I am happy with my goal. Napoli this weekend is first an important game for us before the big game next week against Chelsea, so it’s going to be fun. I have good memories from the Allianz Stadium where I scored against Lyon, so it’s going to be good to return there»
Matilde Lundorf: «It was a good game and great team performance. We controlled the game, and especially in the second half we showed that we can play beautiful football. One of my strengths is that I can go high up the pitch, and the team allows me to do that, so it’s great and I’m just waiting for my goal to come. I feel comfortable and very much at home now, so it has become much easier to express myself, I dare to take more chances which develops my game. I could hear the fans singing the whole game, I am so grateful that they could come and support us, and it means a lot. I am so excited for the week coming up with games against Napoli and then Chelsea, but this is only the beginning»
Joe Montemurro: «I would use the word ‘spetacolo’, to put on a show. It was a beautiful night of football, the crowd, the stadium, the atmosphere, but it was great, and from our perspective, we played some really good football. This is part of our growth and I am proud of the girls. I have been saying for a while now that we have been creating a lot of chances – I’d be worried if we weren’t creating chances, but credit to all the players – they had to come back from a tough turnaround, we had to rest a few players because they were still carrying a few load issues from Saturday, but all in all, it was a positive start and a bit of history for the club. Rotation is a word I like to avoid, we want to give everyone minutes but also put out a team that is going to do the right thing for the game. There are obviously tactical considerations, and other considerations moving forward – we have Chelsea next Wednesday, so we can call it rotation, but it’s about keeping everyone healthy and fit. The support was great, we had a few hundred people here, and this is synonymous with the brand and the club, and its beautiful to see us travelling away and still getting this support. It makes us feel proud, and I am very proud to represent the club tonight and I think the girls really put on a show. This is why we are here, at the highest level to play against the best. Chelsea are one of the best in the world, and all I can say is that we are really looking forward to it»
UEFA Women’s Champions League – Group Stage MD1
Stade de Genève, Genève (Switzerland)
Servette-Juventus 0-3
Scorers: 36’ pt Caruso (J), 19’ st Hurtig (J), 26’ st Cernoia (J)
Servette: Pereira, Soulard, Felber, Hurni, Mendes, Serrano (18’ st Padilla Bidas), Nakkach, Boho Sayo (43’ st Tamplin), Maendly (Cap) (31’ st Spalti), Fleury (18’ st Bourma), Peiro (31’ st Sebayang). Unused substitutes: Droz, Tufo, Lagonia, Redondo, Grivaz. Coach: Severac Eric.
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Rosucci (36’ st Nilden), Lundorf, Boattin, Hurtig (41’ st Pfattner), Zamanian, Caruso (23’ st Cernoia), Bonfantini (23’ st Pedersen), Salvai (Cap), Lenzini (36’ st Hyyrynen), Staskova. Unused substitutes: Aprile, Gama, Girelli, Bonansea, Beccari, Giai. Coach: Montemurro Joseph Adrian
Refrree: Antoniou Eleni (Assistenti: Kourompylia Chrysoula, Athanasopoulou. 4th referee: Pingiou Eirini)
Yellow cards: 6’ pt Fleury (S), 19’ pt Bonfantini (J), 38’ pt Maendly (S), 4’ st Caruso (J)
Next match:
Juventus - Napoli
Campionato Nazionale Femminile Serie A. 6° Giornata Girone di Andata.
Sabato 9 ottobre 2021 ore 14:30
Campo “Ale&Ricky” – Vinovo (TO)
Next UWCL Match
Juventus - Chelsea
Group Stage – MD2
Mercoledì 13 ottobre 2021 ore 21:00
Allianz Stadium - Torino
