Juventus Women had the better of Roma in an intense Cup Final as Italy’s top two teams went head on in the afternoon heat in Ferrara. The Giallorosse took the lead on 23 minutes when Andressa swept home a penalty kick but the Bianconere stuck to the task in hand and equalised, again from the spot, through Cristiana Girelli with 10 minutes remaining. Four minutes later Sara Gama scored the winner to complete a perfect season for the Bianconere.
ROMA EDGE FIRST HALF
Having already won the Italian Super Cup and Serie A, Juventus had the opportunity to complete the treble at the Paolo Mazza Stadium in Ferrara against last season’s Italian Cup winners last season, Roma.
However, the Giallorosse set out in determined fashion to defend the trophy and created two promising opportunities in as many minutes. On 10’ Paloma Lazaro left the Juve defence trailing in her wake as she progressed down the flank. She then picked out Annamaria Serturini alone inside the penalty area. The Roma number 15’s rushed shot was dealt with comfortably by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin. The same two players combined soon after, when Sertutini played Lazaro in behind the Juve defence, and once again Peyraud-Magnin was called on to make the save.
Roma’s high pressing game and aggressive approach was denying the Bianconere a chance to find their rhythm and it was winning the ball up the pitch that caused the incident that led to the game’s opening goal. The ball was played quickly forward to Emilie Haavi who side stepped Matilde Lundorf before being caught by the full-back’s mistimed challenge. The resulting penalty was converted by Andressa. Despite Peyraud Magnin guessing correctly and managing to reach the ball, she was unable to make the save.
The experienced keeper did prove decisive in the closing minutes of the first half, as Juve pushed further forward, Roma exploited the space at the back through Manuela Giugliano, who dribbled her way into the penalty box before aiming for the bottom corner. Peyraud-Magini, at full stretch, tipped the shot wide for a corner.
There were signs in first half stoppage time that Juventus were seeing more of the ball, and if experience had taught them anything this season, it was to remain patient.
PATIENCE PAYS OFF
The opening to the second period was as hard fought as what had gone before, with Roma working hard to close down Juventus at every given opportunity.
In an attempt to change the momentum of the match, Joe Montemurro decided to bring on Agnese Bonfantini at just over the hour mark. The introduction of the former Roma winger disrupted the Giallorosse defence and she was decisive in the match’s turning point on 79 minutes.
Bonfantini used her pace to chase down a through ball and was bundled over inside the penalty area by Lucia Di Gulgielmo. Red card for the Roma defender and a penalty for Juve. Cristiana Girelli kept her cool and drove her spot kick into the bottom corner. All square with 10 minutes to play.
The Bianconere sensed the balance of the game had swung in their favour and pressed forward to take advantage of the moment.
Roma failed to clear a corner. The ball broke to Julia Grosso, who delivered a cross-cum-shot that was parried by Emma Lind, but waiting in the area was Sara Gama, whose shot spun over the Roma keeper’s outstretched fingers into the net. In four minutes the match had been turned on its head.
The tension was not yet over, however. Deep into stoppage time Sophie Haug threw herself at a cross but despite being unmarked the Roma substitute placed her header wide of target. After seven minutes of time added on, the referee blew the final whistle, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and on the bench.
Success in the Italian Cup meant that Juventus Women had made a clean sweep of domestic trophies. An unthinkable achievement when the season kicked off in August.
JUVENTUS 2-1 ROMA (HT: 0-1)
SCORERS: 23’ Andressa (R), 80’ Girelli (J), 84’ Gama (J)
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin; Lundorf, Gama, Sembrant, Boattin; Caruso (77’ Grosso), Rosucci (61’ Bonfantini), Pedersen; Bonansea (77’ Hurtig), Girelli (90’ Staskova), Cernoia (90’ Zamanian).
Subs not used: Aprile, Hyyrynen, Arcangeli, Panzeri.
Coach: Montemurro.
ROMA: Lind; Bartoli, Linari, Soffia (88’ Glionna), Di Guglielmo; Andressa (73’ Mijatovic), Giugliano, Greggi; Serturini (82’ Kollmats), Lazaro (83’ Haug), Haavi.
Subs not used: Ceasar, Pettenuzzo, Corelli, Bernauer, Pirone.
Coach: Spugna.
Referee: Ferrieri Caputo.
Assistants: Martinelli, Bonomo.
Fourth Official: Bordin.
Bookings: 17’ Bartoli (R), 59’ Boattin (J)
Sendings off: 79’ Di Guglielmo