Our Women’s First Team played out a 0-0 draw away at German champions Bayern Munich in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer.
Massimiliano Canzi’s side put in a good performance, particularly in the first half, before he rang the changes in a second period that was interrupted by a lot of substitutions.
Next up in pre-season for the Bianconere is a game against Freedom FC before the Serie A season begins away at Sassuolo, with another friendly against Lyon to come after the competitive campaign has begun.
THE MATCH
The match began with both sides looking to strike the first blow, and it was the hosts who tried their luck first. Linda Dallmann had the game’s first effort, but couldn’t find the target from in front of Alessia Capelletti’s goal.
Juventus’ response came about six minutes later when Valentina Bergamaschi was put through by Chiara Beccari. The flying full-back got her shot off from the edge of the area, but was denied by the woodwork as her effort crashed down off the crossbar.
Capelletti was then called into action and in real style, denying Tuva Hansen.
The second half was a lot less fluid, with the usual pre-season changes coming in their droves. Coach Canzi changed his entire XI with an hour on the clock, allowing both Estelle Cascarino and Pauline Peyraud-Magnin to make their first pre-season appearances for us after returning from their participation in the Olympic Games in Paris.
MASSIMILIANO CANZI’S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“We definitely played better in the first half, and then they came out a bit more as the game went on. We struggled a bit in the second half, but we expected that because we changed the whole team after an hour and it’s always tough to find the rhythm of the game up against players who have already been out on the pitch for a while.
“We’re working to be ready for the start of the season, and those who played more today will likely play a little less in the next friendly. We head back to Italy now knowing our level, without having conceded against a team like Bayern Munich and that’s an important detail for us.”
LISA BOATTIN'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“This game was a real demonstration of how we’ve been working this summer. We’ve been training well, a good side is forming here and, as a result, a really good group.
“We’re happy with the draw because it shows we can go toe to toe with Bayern Munich, who are a very strong team. We’re on the right track and looking forward to the start of the season, to play important matches where points are at stake.
“We, of course, want to start on the right foot, and now we have one more friendly before we play away at Sassuolo to start the season. We will look to make the most of the game against Freedom to be ready for the first competitive game of the season."
BAYERN MUNICH 0-0 JUVENTUS
Bayern Munich: Grohs, Viggosdottir (C), Eriksson (77' Zawistowska), Hansen, Damnjanovic (77' Schuller), Dallman (64' Sembrant), Katt (64' Sehitler), Harder (77' Gwinn), Zadrazil (77' Zigiotti Olme), Kerr (46' Lohmann), Stanway.
Unused subs: Litzfelder, Buhl, Zahringer.
Coach: Alexander Straus.
Juventus: Capelletti (60' Peyraud-Magnin), Lenzini (60' Gama), Kullberg (60' Calligaris), Boattin (60' Cascarino), Bergamaschi (60' Thomas), Caruso (C) (60' Pelgander), Bennison (60' Schatzer), Bonansea (60' Krumbiegel), Cantore (60' Bragonzi), Girelli (60' Vangsgaard), Beccari (60' Lehmann).
Unused subs: Mustafic, Rosucci.
Coach: Massimiliano Canzi.
Referee: Marina Bachmann
Bookings: 45’ Girelli (J), 59' Eriksson (B), 66' Cascarino (J), 91' Stanway (B).