Juventus Women did not have it all their way, but showed grit and spirit to register a record-extending 31st consecutive Serie A victory with a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Inter Milan at the Ernesto Breda Stadium, thanks to goals from centurion Barbara Bonansea and second-half substitute Andrea Staskova.
It was the hosts who applied the early pressure. Enjoying their best start to a Serie A season with four wins from their first seven games, Inter were keen to upset the apple cart against the unbeaten Bianconere, putting the visitors on the back foot with attacks from both flanks in the opening stages, but with no final product.
There was an early scare for Juventus as Sofie Pedersen’s backpass left Pauline Peyraud-Magnin scrambling to palm the ball out of the danger area, with captain Sara Gama on hand to clear the danger.
Inter continued looking the more dangerous side, Csiszàr coming close as she rose highest to get the end of yet another cross, but could not guide her header on target.
The Bianconere seemed to shift gear midway through the first stanza, creating a number of chances as their goalward efforts increased. They would come close in the 26th minute, Zamanian’s free-kick from the left touchline finding Cristiana Girelli, whose header at goal was grabbed with both hands by Inter shot-stopper Durante. Minutes later, Lisa Boattin dribbled her way through and from just inside the box, let fly, her left-footed effort just missing it's mark.
The hosts then had a golden chance to open the scoring as they broke on the counter, the ball played out wide to Marinelli who forced Peyraud-Magnin into a superb one-handed save to deny the Inter forward, who was then adjudged to be offside.
With five minutes to go in the half, neat build-up play led to Juve’s best chance of the game as Lina Hurtig guided an aerial ball downwards for an onrushing Girelli, who failed to connect as her shot trickled wide.
A minute after the restart, Inter showed their intent with two guilt-edged chances in quick succession: Alborghetti smashed her effort against the crossbar, before Csiszàr controlled a cross with her chest and volleyed her effort straight at a grateful Peyraud-Magnin.
The Bianconere then created two opportunities of their own, Hurtig showing great ball control before unleashing an arrowed effort destined for the top corner which whistled narrowly wide. Barbara Bonansea, in her 100th game for the Bianconere, then evaded the Inter defense with an impressive run down the right, Girelli meeting her cross with a header that was easily caught by the Inter goalkeeper.
The deadlock would finally be broken in the 71st minute as Girelli’s cross from the right was met by a powerful Bonansea header which left the Inter keeper with no chance, the centurion giving the visitors the advantage with less than 20 minutes left to play.
The lead would however last just six minutes as Njoya Ajara swiveled to lose her marker in the Juve box, unleashing a left-footed strike to bring the hosts level.
Yet the flurry of goals would continue just three minutes later as Boattin’s floated ball into the box found second-half substitute Andrea Staskova, who expertly guided her header into the back of the net to restore Juve’s lead.
A late Caruso free-kick from the edge of the area was struck too high to add to the scoreboard, as Juventus recorded a spirited 2-1 victory to consolidate top spot in the standings after eight games, and extend their record to 31 consecutive Serie A victories.
INTER 1-2 JUVENTUS (HT 0-0)
SCORERS: 71’ Bonansea (J), 80’ Staskova (J); 77' Njoya Ajara (I)
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin, Lundorf, Gama, Salvai, Boattin, Rosucci (Cernoia 66’), Pedersen, Zamanian (Caruso 74’), Bonansea (Bonfantini 75’), Girelli (Staskova 75’), Hurtig.
Unused substitutes: Aprile, Hyyrynen, Lenzini, Nilden, Pfattner.
Inter Milan: Durante, Sønstevold, Kathellen, Alborghetti, Merlo, Simonetti, Karchouni, Csiszàr (Portales 59’), Pandini (Polli 87’), Njoya Ajara, Marinelli (Bonetti 59’).