Juventus Women sealed three hugely important points in a tough Saturday night visit to AC Milan, with the ever-reliable Arianna Caruso appearing late on to score the game's only goal. The win means the Bianconere are three from three to start the season, and it saw us keep our first clean sheet of the campaign.
As was to be expected, the game away at Milan wasn't an easy one. The Rossonere were stubborn at the back, and they showed threat in attack as well. But Juventus went to Vismara determined to take home maximum points, and Laura Giuliani had to be at her best to keep the Bianconere out.
Lineth Beerensteyn went close first, and she was extremely involved in the majority of the game's chances. Alia Guagni, at the other end, made Pauline Peyraud-Magnin work, but most of the opportunities fell our way.
We went in level and goalless at the break, and as the second half wore on it looked as though the deadlock may never be broken. Giuliani again denied Beerensteyn, and the chances kept coming from one side.
Barbara Bonansea forced an excellent stop from the Milan goalkeeper inside the final quarter of an hour, and it looked like she just wouldn't be beaten.
That is, of course, until Caruso stepped up. A ball fell loose in the box and Caru pounced, firing past Giuliani to seal three vital points.
So, Juventus march on with three wins from three matches, enjoying a strong start to the Serie A season.
Let's keep it up!
ARIANNA CARUSO'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
"It was a difficult match because we came up against a team who put us in difficulty, but this match showed the week we've had. We've worked hard leading up to this and these three points came because we believed in ourselves until the very end.
"Every weekend we give our all and it's normal for there to be games when we are better than in others, but the important thing is to always step off the pitch knowing that we've given everything we have. It was important to take three points away from this tough game.
"I'm playing in a new position, it's definitely further away from goal, but I get on the ball a lot more and I really like that. I'm completely at Mister Montemurro's disposal. Then, after that, if I can score a few goals I'm even happier."