Juventus Women claimed all three points in a match that seemed to have had defeat written all over it. Instead the Bianconere rallied from three goals down to win 4-3 at Vinovo against Fiorentina in the Scudetto Phase of Serie A.
The victory is hugely important on the path to securing UEFA Women's Champions League qualification - the gap of the Viola is now 11 points with only four matches to play.
THE MATCH
Juventus were first to test the opposition defence on a warm afternoon. A Girelli free kick was well saved by Baldi before Grosso's left-foot effort from the edge of the box finished just over the crossbar.
Having survived the early threat, Fiorentina took the lead with their first real attack. Catena headed home a cross from the left from Hammarllund. In the 34th minute the visitors doubled their lead when Zamanian placed the ball into the bottom corner.
Down by two, the game for the Bianconere became even more complicated seven minutes later. Breitner took advantage of some indecision in the home defence to put the Viola three goals up.
The pride of Joe Montemurro's team, however, came to the fore in the second of the three minutes of added time. Girelli's header sailed into the net and put the team back on track before the break.
At the start of the second half, Juventus returned to the field with the right determination and in the 58th minute Beerensteyn's sharp right foot shot nestled into the far corner.
Game on.
Just four minutes later the first phase of the comeback was complete. Bonansea's shot from outside the box was too well angled for Baldi. Three goals each.
The Tuscan side was visibly stunned after conceding two goals in four minutes. In the 67th minute only the post stopped Girelli from bagging her brace. On a rare foray forward, the Viola came dangerously close to beating Peyraud-Magnin for the first time in this second half - Longo's shot from the edge of the area slammed off the crossbar.
The definitive turning point in the game came in the 82nd minute. Grosso' shot from from outside the area took a wicked deflection, which deceiced Baldi on the Fiorentina goalline. Now the comeback was complete. Juve 4-3 Fiorentina.
At the full-time whistle, a sense of pride for what they had achieved.
JUVENTUS 4-3 FIORENTINA (HT: 1-3)
SCORERS: 18′ Catena, 34‘ Zamanian, 40′ Breitner, 45+2‘ Girelli, 58′ Beerensteyn, 62′ Bonansea, 82′ Grosso
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin; Gama, Salvai (74′ Lenzini), Sembrant, Boattin (74′ Nilden); Caruso (84′ Pedersen), Gunnarsdottir, Grosso; Bonansea (84′ Cantore), Girelli, Beerensteyn (84′ Nystrom). Subs not used: Aprile, Simon, Duljan, Cernoia. Coach: Montemurro.
FIORENTINA:: Baldi; Cafferata (56′ Erzen), Tortelli, Agard, Jackmon, Breitner, Zamanian, Boquete, Catena (56′ Longo), Hammarlund, Mijatovic. Subs not used: Schroffenegger, Parisi, Kajan, Erzen, Monnecchi, Severini, Vitale, Johannsdottir. Coach: Panico.
Referee: Centi