Following a three week-long break due to the commitments of the national teams, Juventus Women are set to return to the field on Monday night in Verona (20.00 CET).
Coach Rita Guarino took stock of the team’s situation for the Juventus TV microphones on a day full of meaning for the women's football movement.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
“It would be significant for women to be celebrated every day: there are women all over the world who fight every day for their rights.”
Regarding the Barbie initiative whereby Juventus Women captain, Sara Gama, was selected as a female role model for the younger generations, Guarino commented: "It’s very nice that a player is chosen as a source of inspiration, and we hope that this pushes more and more girls to identify with female models of her kind.”
PRAISE FOR HYYRYNEN & BONANSEA
The nominations of right-back, Tuija Hyyrynen, and forward, Barbara Bonansea, for the FIFPro 2017 Women's World XI form the latest piece of good news in a highly positive debut season for Juventus Women.
“Tuija and Barbara are girls who work really hard and it is a source of great pride that they have been selected among the best female footballers in the world. This kind of thing also drives us on to work and improve every day.”
A POSITIVE INTERNATIONAL BREAK
“The fact that the female Italian national team is doing well shows how everyone is pulling together in this country to make things work. The goal remains to qualify for the World Cup.
“In the meantime, we have continued to train with constant commitment and self-sacrifice. This is not easy and so I congratulate the girls for their efforts.
“Now that our international players are returning back to base, we will evaluate things and concentrate on Monday’s match away to Verona.
“Of course, having had some of our players away over recent weeks can complicate things, but I am confident that there will be no problems.”
VERONA IN VIEW
“I am expecting a tough match as always straight after a pause in the league season. Verona are playing well and have fewer points than their quality might have warranted.
"They will put us under pressure on Monday night, but we need to make sure that our journey continues.”