Juventus Women proved that they hadn’t skipped a beat after the international break, running out 1-0 winners at the San Siro against Milan, on a big night not only for the Bianconere, but also for women’s football.
Rita Guarino’s girls began the game in a dominating fashion, seeing a lot of the ball in Milan’s box and the pressure eventually told just 10 minutes into the match, when Milan’s Dominika Conc upended Valentina Cernoia in the box to concede a penalty. Cristiana Girelli stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to give Juventus an early lead. Another 10 minutes later and it was very nearly 2-0, Sofie Junge Pedersen got on the end of a ball into the box and her header went just past the post.
With half an hour gone and the Bianconere looking comfortable, Cernoia and Girelli were once again involved, as a great ball into the box from the winger and found Girelli but a double save from Milan keeper, Maria Korenciova kept the number 10 at bay. Milan rallied and a dangerous free-kick into the box from Valentina Giacinti was punched away by Laura Giuliani, as Juve held onto until the second half.
Milan grew into the game into the second half but the Bianconere back-line were resolute, with Giuliani also displaying a constant commanding and dominating presence of the Bianconere box. With less than 10 minutes to go, a great chance fell to the head of Pedersen from Arianna Caruso’s cross into the box but once more it went agonisingly wide. Andrea Staskova had a lively cameo as a second half sub, twice nearly sending Maria Alves through onto goal to seal the game, but the Milan defence were just able to get there.
A fantastic slalom from Aurora Galli into the Milan box that could have seen her score a “goal of the season” contender was just turned away by the Rossonere defence. It mattered little however as Juventus Women held on for a big and historic win at the San Siro!