03 March 2024
Juventus Women will have to overturn a narrow one-goal deficit if they are to advance to the Italian Cup final. Fiorentina scored the only goal of the day in Viola Park through Michela Catena in the second half.
The Bianconere’s best chances fell Joe Echegini’s way, though neither were straightforward, but the tie will be settled in Biella and remains all to play for.
The match
Fiorentina started the brighter of the two sides, and Veronica Boquete went close to the opener after a quarter of an hour after a clever find from Madelen Janogy in the box. Michela Catena threatened again soon after.
The Bianconere’s best chance fell Joe Echegini’s way, but the Nigeria international was only able to send a central shot at goal that Rachele Baldi dealt with.
The hosts again started on the front foot in the second half, with Catena again looking to be a real danger to the Juventus backline, and she had the ball in the net only for it to be ruled out as the ball had been deemed to have crossed the line and gone out of play before Emma Severini’s centre.
Echegini again had a chance as she tried to turn in a cross from Cantore, but couldn't adjust herself enough to find the goal.
Fiorentina kept coming, and they found their way to goal through Catena.
Joe Montemurro looked to change things up by shifting the system somewhat and having Paulina Nystrom, Barbara Bonansea and Lindsey Thomas come off the bench to accompany Cristiana Girelli in attack, but the Bianconere couldn’t find a way to goal.
And so the second leg in Biella on Saturday 9 March will begin with Fiorentina holding a one-goal aggregate lead.
Joe Montemurro’s post-match comments
“Fiorentina showed more aggression and played better than we did, but I think 1-0 is an accurate reflection of the game. We were missing something today from a technical point of view, we made mistakes when it came to the fundamental things, but we’re already focusing on the second leg.
“Juventus don’t just take the field to take part, we always think about winning, even in training matches. We want to be at the top, we’re the current holders of the Italian Cup and we’ll give our all to retain it this year.”
Fiorentina 1-0 Juventus Women
Goals: 65' Catena (F)
Fiorentina: Baldi, Longo (80’ Lundin), Catena (89’ Bellucci), Erzen, Janogy (80’ Mijatovic), Johannsdottir (66’ Cinotti), Severini, Georgieva, Agard, Faerge, Boquete Giadans (Cap).
Unused subs: Schroffenegger, Parisi, Toniolo, Mijatovic, Tucceri Cimini, Russo.
Coach: Sebastian De La Fuente.
Juventus: Aprile, Lenzini, Calligaris, Salvai (Cap), Boattin, Caruso, Palis, Echegini (71’ Nystrom), Garbino (71’ Bonansea), Girelli, Cantore (66’ Thomas).
Unused subs: Gama, Cafferata, Bragonzi, Peyraud-Magnin, Cascarino, Pelgander.
Coach: Joseph Montemurro.
Referee: Mattia Ubaldi.
Assistants: Andrea Cravotta, Antonio D’Angelo.
Fourth Official: Lorenzo Maccarini.
Bookings: 28’ Caruso (J), 59’ Calligaris (J), 84’ Catena (F).
