26 April 2024
Juventus Women fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Inter on Friday evening in the Serie A Poule Scudetto, suffering a first-ever Derby d’Italia defeat.
THE LINE-UPS
Juventus lined up from the first whistle with a much-changed look. In front of Pauline Peyraud-Magnin in goal was a back four of Federica Cafferata, Martina Lenzini, Viola Calligaris and Estelle Cascarino; Julia Grosso and Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir made up a two-player midfield, while a front four of Sofia Cantore, Paulina Nystrom, Cristiana Girelli and Barbara Bonansea led the line of attack.
THE MATCH
Inter started the game on the front foot, with the Bianconere looking to remain compact and keep things tight at the back. The Nerazzurre took the lead just after a quarter of an hour had been played through Elisa Polli, with the striker finishing on the end of an Agnese Bonfantini centre to put the final touch on a swift counterattack.
Sara Cetinja did well to keep Barbara Bonansea out, and the Serbian shot stopper was ready with an answer for everything thrown at her.
Before the break, Inter doubled their lead through Haley Bugeja.
A further setback was handed to the Bianconere when Calligaris was forced off through injury and Cecilia Salvai came on in her place.
The second half started with Arianna Caruso coming on for Nystrom, but Rita Guarino’s side defended their lead well, even when Lineth Beeresnteyn, Lindsey Thomas and Joe Echegini were introduced to inject more life and fresh legs into the Juventus attack.
It wasn’t to be for Juventus, though. Inter stood firm and claimed their first-ever Serie A win over the Bianconere. The night’s result meant that Roma were crowned champions for the second straight season.
CRISTIANA GIRELLI'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“It was a painful night, both because of the defeat and the performance. We have to start over again, we have to put this evening to one side and finish the season in the best possible way, even if it’ll be hard. Inter approached the game perfectly, we were too passive at the beginning, and then we reacted, and it’s from that point that we have to start over again. Inter showed that they’re a growing team. We have to congratulate Roma for their deserved Scudetto win.”
JUVENTUS WOMEN 0-2 INTER
Goals: 19’Polli (I), 43’Bugeja (I)
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Lenzini, Cafferata (70' Echegini), Calligaris (36’ Salvai), Cascarino, Gunnarsdottir, Grosso, Cantore (62' Thomas), Girelli, Nystrom (46' Caruso), Bonansea (Cap) (62' Beerensteyn).
Unused subs: Aprile, Gama, Boattin, Bragonzi
Coach: Paolo Beruatto
Inter: Bowen, Pedersen (70' Csiszar), Bugeja (85' Alborghetti), Polli (Cap) (70' Jelcic), Bonfantini (85' Pavan), Robustellini, Foerdos, Cetinja, Magull (78' Simonetti), Milinkovic, Thoegersen.
Unused subs: Bonetti, Piazza, Pandini, Battilana
Coach: Maria Rita Guarino
Referee: Gabriele Sacchi
Assistants: Luca Chiavaroli, Pierpaolo Carella
Fourth Official: Riccardo Dasso
Bookings: 54' Robustellini (I), 77' Csiszar (I)
