07 February 2024
Juventus Women successfully saw off Sampdoria in the second leg of their Italian Cup quarter-final tie with a 1-0 win in Biella clinching a 5-0 aggregate win, and with it they set up a semi-final date with Fiorentina.
The match
The Bianconere came into the game with a real feeling of calm, given their 4-0 first-leg lead, and Joe Montemurro took the chance to make some necessary rotations due to a tight fixture schedule.
Things started in an unfortunate manner though, with Federica Cafferata having to go off injured inside 10 minutes. Cafferata’s withdrawal presented the young Arianna Gallina, herself from Biella, with the chance to make her first-team debut perhaps earlier than expected. Gallina’s debut from the bench then set the tone of what was to be an afternoon of firsts.
The first chance came with a quarter of an hour played. Maelle Garbino found Cristiana Girelli with a cross, but the No.10 sent her effort over.
That same duo combined four minutes later though, and this time Girelli made no mistake in expertly finishing for the opening, and only, goal of the game.
There was little else to report in the first half. Samp tried to venture forward to no real avail, and Asia Bragonzi tried her luck at the other end.
After the break, more changes came. Both Elsa Pelgander - a January signing - and Giorgia Berveglieri came off the bench for their first-team debuts, and each is a teammate of Gallina in the Primavera side.
Although Samp went searching for a way to restore parity on the day, they were unable to cause Roberta Aprile too much trouble, and Bragonzi went close to getting herself a goal with a good looping header that just wouldn’t come down in time.
And so the game ended with just the one goal scored and a semi-final spot sealed. Now, Juventus can return to thinking about Serie A, with Como Women visiting Biella on Sunday.
Joe Montemurro’s words
“After the Roma game there was a lot of disappointment, but we have to stop thinking about that game now and focus on what lies ahead. We need to get as many points as possible between now and the end of the season. We spoke to the girls about this, and I have to say that the team are doing well. Today was an opportunity to play some of the girls who play less, and I’m glad they played in a game of this level. When you don’t often play from the first minute and then you’re chosen, it’s normal that there’s some risk involved. This was the case for Asia Bragonzi, for example, and she found her feet in the game. She’s a player I like a lot, and every coach would love to work with someone like her - she’s always focused, ready to improve and put herself on the line. She also has a great impact on the group on a personal level.”
Arianna Gallina’s post-match comments
“It filled me with emotion to make my Juventus debut, and more so to have done it in this stadium, in my home city. It’s a really beautiful feeling. I’m happy the team managed to win too. I didn’t expect to be brought on so early, it happened so quickly after just a few minutes, but when the coach told me to warm up I knew I was coming on. I listened to the advice he gave me and once I was on the pitch I did my best without thinking too much about the pressure.
“My grandfather was here in the stands. He takes me to almost every game and that’s something I’m always thankful for. My mother was here too, thankfully in the end she was able to make it.”
