After a break from Serie A action because of international competition, Juventus resumed their defence of the league title at Empoli.
Two goals conceded in the opening 15 minutes cost the Bianconere dearly. Although Lisa Boattin halved the arrears on 77 minutes, Cristiana Girelli had a penalty saved three minutes later as Juventus failed to take advantage of their many chances to draw level.
CAUGHT COLD
In the opening minutes both teams took the measure of each other in cold, blustery conditions in Tuscany. With the first chance of the match, Juventus fell behind when they failed to clear their lines. Valeria Monterubbiano took advantage of the defensive mix-up to slot the ball past Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
With 15 minutes on the clock, home striker Chante Domping, who had seen a shot saved just seconds earlier, recovered possession and her cross was headed home by Cecilia Prugna from six yards out. It was the first time the Bianconere had conceded twice in the opening quarter hour in Serie A.
PATIENT REACTION
Juventus refused to let their heads drop and maintained their shape, patiently looking to create an opportunity to reduce the deficit. With six minutes of the first half remaining, the Bianconere had their first real chances. A defensive lapse gifted the ball to Girelli inside the penalty area. Her shot was charged down by Alessia Capelletti, before the Empoli keeper threw herself at the feet of Julia Grosso to block the follow-up.
A minute later, an incisive Valentina Cernoia pass played Lina Hurtig in behind the home defence. Her angled shot was partially blocked by Capelletti. With the ball spinning toward the goal line, Girelli was unable to apply the finishing touch due to intense pressure from Empoli defender Giovana Maia.
Juventus continued to press and had another gilt-edged opportunity. A corner fell to Sara Gama, who attempted to direct the ball toward goal, only to see Maia clear off the line.
SUBS TO THE FORE
Barbera Bonansea and Sofie Pedersen came on for Hurtig and Martina Rosucci at the restart. Almost immediately, yet another occasion fell to Juve when Arianna Caruso from the edge of the penalty area shot wide with the goal gaping after the keeper had spilled a cross.
A third change for Juventus on 57 minutes when Amanda Nilden stepped aside for Lisa Boattin. 10 minutes later, Agnese Bonfantini and Martina Lenzini were thrown into the action as Joe Montemurro made his final substitutions with a quarter of the game remaining.
Juventus continued to pressure the home defence. Linda Sembrant rose highest in the penalty area, but somehow her header stayed out as it struck the crossbar. The life-line was only a matter of minutes away, however.
BOATTIN IN VAIN
In the 77th minute, determination from Boattin was key when she latched onto a cross from Bonfantini and shot beyond Capelletti.
Again Boattin was at the heart of the action two minutes later. The full-back was fouled inside the area. Girelli stepped up from the penalty spot, but her spot kick was saved by Capelletti.
The final chance came in the third minute of stoppage time. Another Bonfantini cross from the right eluded Capelletti but the goalkeeper had done enough to distract Caruso, who from close range put the ball wide.
Juventus’ 54-match unbeaten run came to a close despite a spirited attempt to turn the situation around in Tuscany.
EMPOLI 2-1 JUVENTUS (HT: 2-0)
SCORERS: 9’ Monterubbiano (E), 15’ Prugna (E), 77’ Boattin (J)
EMPOLI: Capelletti; Mella, Maia, Knol; Oliviero, Cinotti, Bellucci, Prugna; Monterubbiano (86’ Silvioni), Nocchi (76’ Bragonzi), Domping (90’ De Rita).
Subs not used: Brscic, Morreale, Nichele, Tamborini, Ciccioli, Binazzi.
Coach: Ulderici.
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin; Hyyrynen (67’ Lenzini), Gama, Sembrant, Nilden (57’ Boattin); Caruso, Rosucci (46’ Pedersen), Grosso (67’ Bonfantini); Hurtig (46’ Bonansea), Girelli, Cernoia.
Subs not used: Aprile,, Panzeri, Lundorf.
Coach: Montemurro.
REFEREE: Villa
ASSISTANTS: Pressato, Asciamprener
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Aronne
BOOKINGS: 18’ Knol (E), 29’ Monterubbiano (E), 67’ Capelletti (E), 83’ Gama (J), 87’ Oliviero (E)