20 April 2019
Juventus Women are champions of Italy for the second year running after running out 0-3 winners in Verona, in what caps a fitting end to a magnificent season, after goals from Petronella Ekroth, Cristiana Girelli and Eniola Aluko scored the goals that handed the title to the Bianconere.
Rita Guarino’s girls begun the match on the front foot and after just six minutes, defender Aleksandra Sikora went close to giving them the lead with a dangerous free-kick whipped into the box, that was scrambled away by Verona. Juventus Women continued their pressing and Barbara Bonansea threatened with a couple of dangerous chances with opposing goalkeeper, Camilla Forcinella coming to the rescue.
The news elsewhere of Fiorentina taking the lead almost seemed to be the shot in the arm that the Bianconere needed, as minutes later they were in front! Bonansea’s corner kick to the back post was headed back across goal by Cristiana Girelli and Petronella Ekroth was there to head into the back of the net and make it 1-0! Not content with just one Juve pushed forward for another and Bonansea was agonisingly just denied by the upright.
Minutes into the second half and there was a glorious chance for the girls to double their lead, Girelli found herself one-on-one with Forcinella but the keeper held her ground well to save. However, Girelli would finally make her mark in some fashion, Tuija Hyyrynen’s cross from deep was touched on by the Fiorentina defender and Girelli was there to volley home in the box to make it two!
On 68 minutes Eniola Aluko put the game out of sight for the hosts, as the English forward’s burst of pace got her away from the Verona defence with a low strike piercing the back of the net to put the Bianconere three up, and within touching distance of the title. Guarino’s girls controlled the remainder of the game and once the three whistles sounded Juventus Women were officially crowned Champions of Italy for the second year running!
le parole nel post-partita
«E’ stata una settimana importantissima per noi – spiega Tuija Hyyrynen- tutto si sta mettendo nel verso giusto. Adesso siamo in finale e possiamo fare la doppietta, sono molto contenta di far parte di una squadra così forte».
«Il Milan è stato un avversario veramente tosto, ed è stata una partita veramente difficile da portare a casa. – commenta Rita Guarino – Faccio i complimenti alle ragazze: ci godiamo questo momento e da domani iniziamo a pensare a sabato, che sarà una finalissima per noi, e poi da settimana prossima penseremo alla finale di Coppa Italia. Siamo cresciute tantissimo da inizio anno, sia a livello tattico che di mentalità, e i margini di miglioramento sono ancora altissimi».
