Juventus Women collected a third consecutive Italian Super Cup with a 2-1 triumph over Milan, the first trophy for Joe Montemurro since taking over as Bianconere coach in the summer.
Behind at the interval through a Milan goal in first-half stoppages, Juventus turned the match on its head in the second half. Valentina Bergamaschi’s own-goal levelled the score on 50 minutes. With extra time looming, Cristiana Girelli’s header completed the turnaround.
EARLY PRESSURE
Joe Montermurro made four changes to the starting line-up from the semi-final victory over Sassuolo on Wednesday. Captain Sara Gama, Matilde Lundorf and Lisa Boattin were recalled in defence, while Lina Hurtig was drafted into attack.
As early as the third minute Juventus created their first scoring opportunity.
Gama’s searching pass found Arianna Caruso. The midfielder took one touch before unleashing her shot, blocked by Laura Giuliani in the Milan goal.
In the 21st minute, Barbara Bonansea’s effort drifted wide of target as Juventus upped the pressure. Two chances in quick succession on 25 minutes: a close-range Caruso header was saved, while Bonansea had a shot deflected wide.
However, Milan withheld the early pressure and emerged late in the first half. In stoppage time, the first corner kick for the Rossonere was met by Christy Grimshaw, whose header, deflected by Sofie Pedersen, beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.
Juventus trailed at the break.
THE TURNAROUND
The Bianconere emerged focused and determined for the second half and quickly put Milan under pressure.
Just two minutes after the restart, Bonansea made progress down the right. Her cross was agonisingly beyond the reach of Hurtig.
A similar move three minutes later, however, led to the equaliser. Again Bonansea delivered into the penalty area, but her cross, intended again for Hurtig, was turned into her own net by Valentina Bergamaschi.
Milan captain Bergamaschi almost made amends immediately, when she crashed a shot off the crossbar with Peyraud-Magnin beaten.
In the 54th minute Milan were reduced to 10 players. A late challenge on Caruso by Laia Codina at the half-way line resulted in the Spanish defender receiving a second yellow card.
Juventus set out to make their numerical advantage count and increased the pressure in the closing 15 minutes.
Bonansea continued to wreak havoc. Her cross was met by Caruso but the midfielder placed her header wide. Another Bonansea cross, this time for the head of Cristiana Girelli, whose effort sailed over the crossbar.
The Juventus striker did test Giuliani on 86 minutes but her free kick was tipped wide by the Milan keeper.
With the match heading to extra time, Juventus continued to turn the screw.
On 88 minutes, a Boattin corner was imperiously met by Girelli. Her header looped into the net to give Juventus the lead.
At the final whistle, the celebrations started: a third consecutive Super Cup final success clinched dramatically in the closing minutes.
JUVENTUS 2-1 MILAN (HT: 0-1)
SCORERS: Grimshaw (M) 45+1', Bergamaschi (OG) 50', Girelli (J) 88'
JUVENTUS
Peyraud-Magnin; Lundorf, Gama, Lenzini, Boattin; Rosucci, Pedersen (Zamanian 90+2'), Caruso (Staskova 82'); Bonansea, Girelli, Hurtig (Cernoia 73').
Subs not used: Aprile, Hyyrynen, Panzeri, Nilden, Grosso, Pfattner.
Coach: Montemurro
MILAN
Giuliani; Codina, Agard, Fusetti; Bergamaschi, Grimshaw (Arnadottir 83'), Adami, Tucceri Cimini; Thomas, Piemonte (Longo 73'), Guagni.
Subs not used: Fedele, Babb, Andersen, Dal Brun, Premoli, Mioto.
Coach: Ganz
REFEREE: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi
ASSISTANTS: Francesca Di Monte, Veronica Martinelli
FOURTH OFFICIAL: Deborah Bianchi
BOOKED: Codina (M) 38'
SENT OFF: Codina (M) 54'