14 April 2019
An important response was needed after yesterday's victories for Milan and Fiorentina and Juventus Women duly delivered. The Bianconere ran out 5-0 winners over Tavagnacco today to go back to the top of the table, with a one point lead ahead of La Viola and two in front on the Rossonere, when only one game left to play at the end of a fascinating Serie A Women's championship.
Aurora Galli's opening goal, followed by Eniola Aluko's and Cristiana Girelli's double brace decided today's game, in what was a performance of great mental strength, which once again demonstrates the great desire of the Bianconere to retain the Scudetto. The league will all be decided next Saturday, with Juventus Women travelling to Verona, whilst Fiorentina and Milan will host Rome and Valpolicella respectively.
The match
Rita Guarino's girls begun the match very much on the front foot and took the lead after just 11 minutes following some constant pressing. Aurora Galli is in the right place at the right time to tape in Eniola Aluko's deflected shot that goes across goal.
Just 10 minutes later and Aluko got herself on the scoresheet, as the English striker escapes the Tavagnacco defence with a great burst of pace and places the ball perfectly into the back of the net with a great low diagonal strike to make it two. The visitors tried to fight back but Laura Giuliani does well to save a header at goal from point-blank range. The Bianconere then go back up the other end and this time it's Aluko once more who shows deadly finishing to put Juve Women three up. Right at the end of the half Sofie Junge Pedersen goes close to making it four when her header from a corner goes agonisingly wide.
The second half sees the Bianconere manage the game well and on 63 minutes Anna James-Buhigas is sent off after handling Cristiana Girelli's strike from outside the box. The free-kick proves costly to the visitors, as Girelli dispatches it home via a deflection. Finally, in stoppage time ,Girelli adds another finishing from close range to seal a 5-0 win for Juventus Women, who go into the final match of the season back on top of the leaderboard.
Post-match comments
"We are ahead by one point in the standings, I am very satisfied - said Rita Guarino at the end of the match - we had the right approach, taking the lead as soon as possible without conceding anything and taking control of the game. It will be a full week because we also have the Coppa Italia on Wednesday. I am happy for the return of Rosucci and Franco in the last home game in front of our wonderful audience."
