06 January 2021
Juventus Women have reached the Women’s Italian Super Cup final, having defeated Roma in today’s semi-final 2-1, thanks to goals from Barbara Bonansea and Cristiana Girelli. They will face the winner of today’s other semi-final between Fiorentina and AC Milan on Sunday.
The game began on an even keel with both sides fashioning early half-chances, as it was Roma who went closest to scoring early on, as Andressa went through on goal but strong reflexes from Doris Bacic kept her out.
On 17 minutes, Roma were awarded a penalty for Arianna Caruso’s challenge on Maria Zecca. Andressa stepped up but got her strike all wrong, as she blazed well over the crossbar!
Five minutes later and Juventus Women went ahead at the other end. Cristiana Girelli sent Barbara Bonansea free down the right-hand side and a lengthy run by the number 11 saw her finish past Camelia Ceasar in the Roma goal to give Juve the lead!
Bacic was once again called into action as the Croatian shot-stopper denied a strong strike from Roma’s Annamaria Serturini, as the first half ended much like it began, with neither side overly in the ascendancy.
Roma equalised early into the second half, as Allyson Swaby finished into the far corner having been sent through. The Giallarosse tried to push for the lead and on the hour mark they hit the crossbar with Paloma Lazaro’s header.
15 minutes from time some excellent footwork from Bonansea in the Roma box teed up Girelli but the number 10’s strike was blocked. Girelli almost scored a late winner 10 minutes from time but her goal was ruled out for an offside.
Late on substitute, Maria Alves was sent clear on goal and her attempted lob was handled outside of the box by goalkeeper, Ceasar, who was promptly shown a red card, leaving Roma down to 10.
That proved to practically be the final moment of normal time, with fixture needing another 30 minutes to decide the outcome. The hail covered field proved to be a tougher challenge than expected: Bonansea had the first real chance of extra time when she controlled Girelli's ball and fired just wide of the post. The victory was wrapped up in the 116th minute, when Tuija Hyyrynen delivered in a cross from the right and Girelli, who was left unmarked in the box, jumped up and nodded home the match winning strike.
