Smiles returned to the faces of Juventus Women as Serie A got going for 2023/24. Joe Montemurro's side managed to take all three points home from Pomigliano with them, winning 3-2 in Campania.
The match was tough, and the hosts proved tricky opponents, with the result being on the line until the very end. The win serves as a huge confidence boost for our Bianconere though, especially coming after the Women's Champions League elimination.
The starting XI
Montemurro had to do without the injured Barbara Bonansea, and instead opted for Paulina Nystrom to lead the line with Sofia Cantore and Lineth Beerensteyn on either side of her. Estelle Cascarino and Ella Palis were among the new players to start, with Cristiana Girelli and Arianna Caruso starting on the bench. Cecilia Salvai, Lisa Boattin and Ilaria Toniolo were also out.
The first half
The start was relatively slow in Campania, and the hosts covered all areas of the pitch well and were solid defensively, then looking to break at speed. That was exactly how they scored, pouncing on a swift counterattack and Violah Nambi finished with a strike that Pauline Peyraud-Magnin could do nothing to stop.
The Bianconere struggled to get a hold on the game. Beerensteyn had two attempts, but nothing came of them. Juventus' pressure eventually told as Amanda Nilden's cross for Nystrom evaded everybody and found its way into the net. Within a minute, Julia Grosso fired us in front as the ball broke her way in the box.
But Pomigliano then hit back immediately, again on the break. This time to their left, Ana Lucia Martinez fired in another unstoppable strike to level things up again.
The second half
Juventus took control in the second half, and looked to trouble Pomigliano a little more. The hosts stood firm though, and Peyraud-Magnin had to make a stunning save to keep the Bianconere level.
Sofia Cantore had a goal ruled out in the 63rd minute when it was ruled that she had been in an offside position, and so Montemurro made changes in search of a winner as time was running out.
Arianna Caruso and Cristiana Girelli came on, and the game soon turned in the Bianconere's favour. Cantore broke into space on the right and whipped a pinpoint cross onto Girelli's head, and the No.10 made no mistake as she headed home to put Juventus in front again. The goal was Girelli's eighth goal in a season opener for Juve, and her 15th opening-day goal in all.
Cantore came close to adding a fourth late on, which her performance would have deserved, but her attempt was blocked behind after a driving run into the box.
Next up
Now, there's a slight wait for our Bianconere to return to action, with the season's first international break coming immediately after the start of the season.
Juventus Women are next taking to the field on Saturday, September 30, against Sampdoria. Kick-off in Biella is set for 14:30 CEST, and it will be our first game in our new home.