Juventus Women's title chances all but slipped away after losing 3-2 away to Roma. Despite leading twice, Joe Montemurro's side were edged out in the closing minutes.
Barbara Bonansea opened the scoring on her 150th appearance for the Bianconere, a lead that lasted little over 60 seconds. Although Juve went into the break 2-1 to the good after Arianna Caruso had converted a penalty, Roma found the net twice after the interval to collect their first ever league win over the Bianconere and all but claim the Serie A crown.
THE MATCH
The atmosphere created inside the sold-out stadium triggered an enthusiastic start from Roma. After only a couple of minutes, Valentina Giancinti was outfoxed one-on-one by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, while on 10 minutes an Elena Linari header struck the crossbar.
Although the Giallorosse enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, it was Juve that took the lead. With just a quarter of an hour played, Barbara Bonansea set off on a trademark run, dribbled her way through the heart of the Giallorosse defence to angle her shot into the far corner.
Celebrations were short lived.
A minute later Giacinti forced another save from Peyraud-Magnin but this time Andressa was on hand to poke the ball into the unguarded net.
On 24 minutes Juve had a glorious opportunity to regain the lead when Lineth Beerensteyn found the ball at her feet inside the area, only for her lob to strike the top of the crossbar. The winger set out to make amends and used her pace to take on the Roma defence. On reaching the deadball line, she was chopped down. The referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
Arianna Caruso powered the spot-kick high into the top corner.
After the break, Juve looked to contain the hosts.
A rasping shot on 55’ from Emilie Haavi saw Peyraud Magnin at full stretch tip the effort wide, but Roma were only minutes away from drawing level for the second time. Giacinti shook off a challenge from Martina Lenzini and steadied herself before unleashing a shot that Peyraud-Magnin could get fingertips to but not keep out.
Juve responded once more. Sofie Pedersen was picked out by a cross from Sofia Cantore as the two substitutes linked up. The midfielder was unmarked inside the area and her header was turned wide by Camelia Caesar. Inside the closing 10 minutes, again the Roma goalkeeper saved her side with another impressive save, this time from Julia Grosso's swerving left-foot shot from the edge of the area.
However, with five minutes to play, Juventus found themselves trailing for the first time in the match. Sophie Román Haug outjumped the Bianconere defence to place her header into the top corner from close range.
At the final whistle, the Juventus players gathered to applaud the fans that had made the trip to the 'Tre Fontane' stadium in the knowledge that their opponents are one match from claiming their first league title.
ROMA 3-2 JUVENTUS WOMEN (HT: 1-2)
Scorers: 14′ Bonansea, 15′ Andressa, 25′ Caruso (pen) 60′ Giacinti, 86′ Roman Haug
ROMA: Ceasar; Bartoli, Wenninger, Linari, Di Guglielmo (85′ Minami); Andressa (78′ Kramzar), Giugliano, Greggi, Haavi, Giacinti (78′ Roman Haug), Glionna (58′ Serturini). Subs not used: Ohstrom, Cinotti, Ciccotti, Kollmats, Landstrom. Coach: Spugna.
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin; Gama (89′ Cernoia), Lenzini (78′ Duljan), Salvai, Boattin; Caruso (67′ Pedersen), Gunnarsdottir, Grosso; Bonansea (67′ Cantore), Nystrom, Beerensteyn (78′ Sembrant). Subs not used: Aprile, Forcinella, Simon, Girelli. Coach: Montemurro.
Referee: Gallipò
BOOKINGS: 33′ Gunnarsdottir, 39′ Bonansea, 45′ Grosso, 48′ Linari, 66′ Andressa, 83’ Ohstrom, 87’ Haug