05 May 2018
It was a vital win in Juve’s penultimate league game, as Rita Guarino’s girls made sure they kept pace with Brescia at the top of the Serie A table, who won 4-1 at home to Empoli, with both sides heading into the final match of the season level on points.
Juventus Women were a goal to the good at the half in Verona after Galli converted her 33rd minute penalty following a foul on Sofia Cantore in the Chievo box. Caruso doubled Juve’s lead 10 minutes from time with a well-placed header after a great run from Valentina Cernoia.
The match in Verona proved to be a slow-burner in the first half with both sides finding it hard to create any clear-cut chances from the off. Around the half-hour mark Chievo had a great chance as they went through on goal from a breakaway, but Laura Giuliani was quick off her line to take the ball at the feet of Penelope Riboldi.
Juventus Women won a penalty in the 33rd minute when Cantore was pushed over in the box, and Galli then kept her cool from 12 yards to slot home past Alessia Gritti and give the Bianconere a 0-1 lead. Juve almost doubled their lead minutes later when a great left-footed strike from Benedetta Glionna went just wide of the post.
In the second half, Chievo were almost able to fashion a good chance in the 73rd minute following a great run down the Bianconere’s right-hand side by Cecilia Salvai was there to hook the host’s cross behind for a corner. Vanessa Panzeri was next to try her luck with a well-struck effort from distance sailing just over the Chievo crossbar.
Juve wrapped up the game 10 minutes from time when substitute, Valentina Cernoia went on a great run on the right and her impeccable cross was headed home by Caruso to make it 0-2 on the scoreboard.
Katie Zelem nearly put the cherry the cake after her jinking run saw her beat several Chievo defenders, but she agonisingly put her effort into the side netting.
Up next, Juventus Women will play their final league game of the season when they host Tavagnacco at Vinovo on Saturday 12 May 2018 (15:00 CEST).
