Juventus Women got back to winning ways against Como Women in a pre-season game that was packed full of Swedish involvement. In a game that ended 2-1 to the Bianconere, all of the goalscorers in Seregno were from Sweden, with Paulina Nystrom and Amanda Nilden scoring for Juve.
Beyond the result, the game allowed our Bianconere to get important minutes in their legs as we continue to work ahead of the 2023/24 season.
The game
The first chance fell Como's way early on, but Roberta Aprile was alert to the danger and kept them out. Nicole Arcangeli did then hit the crossbar for the hosts.
Barbara Bonansea went close for the Bianconere shortly after, and Juventus then took the lead when Lindsey Thomas put a perfect ball into the centre for Nystrom to turn into the back of the net.
But Como weren't to be defeated easily and they levelled midway through the first half through a Swede of their own in Julia Karlernas and Aprile could do little to stop it.
Bonansea tried to restore our lead, but it wasn't to be and we went in level at the break.
As is always the case in pre-season, both coaches shuffled their decks in the second half, and Nilden put us back in front with a fine finish in the 52nd minute. This time, Juve were not going to be pegged back, and they had chances to extend the lead.
Lineth Beerensteyn came off the bench and looked lively, but wasn't able to find the net.
Our Bianconere, then, returned to Italian soil with a win after the Gamper Trophy. Now, the work ramps up ahead of the Women's Champions League qualification mini-tournament on September 6, with another friendly against Brescia to come on Thursday.
Coach Joe Montemurro's post-match comments
"The team's movement and consistency mattered more than the result, and we saw good things. I'm happy with how the new players are settling in because we know that it takes time, but I liked what I saw from them today. The girls are getting used to playing in another way, and working on different plays with a different rhythm, so that takes time but we're already seeing good things. I'm also happy with [Amanda] Nilden, who we missed a lot last year.
"Compared to last year? Our game is based on finding solutions with the ball, we have to be smart and to not be predictable, while trying to press high. We have players who are able to do that and today I saw a couple of things that I really liked.
"Asia Bragonzi? I've always liked her, she has some characteristics that we've lacked and she's a player I want to see at our pace now. We'll monitor her progress week by week.
"I also want to give my compliments to Como who, especially in the first 20 minutes, made it very difficult for us."
Como Women 1-2 Juventus (HT: 1-1)
Goalscorers: Nystrom 17’, Karlernas 23’, Nilden 52'
Como Women: Gilardi, Cox (69' Lipman), Arcangeli, Sevenius (75' Regazzoli), Cecotti (63' Pastrenge), Karlernas (75' Martinovic), Baldi (63' Masu), Hilaj (63' Monnecchi), Vaitukaityte (69' Picchi), Rizzon, Lundorf (75' Bergersen).
Unused subs: Korenciova, Ruma, Skorvankova, Liva, Bianchi, Di Luzio.
Coach: Marco Bruzzano
Juventus: Aprile, Nilden, Nystrom (46' Girelli), Garbino (75' Bragonzi), Bonansea (Cap) (54' Caruso), Boattin (75' Cafferata), Palis, Grosso (64' Bellucci), Thomas (54' Beerensteyn), Cascarino (64' Sliskovic), Lenzini (75' Lenzini).
Unused subs: Toniolo, Peyraud-Magnin, Belotto.
Coach: Joseph Montemurro
Bookings: Vaitukaityte 37’, Bergersen 83'