28 March 2021
An incredible and inspired Juventus Women record a 9-1 against Pink Bari, including four goals from Cristiana Girelli, that sees Juve’s lead at the top of the table remain at six points with five games left to play.
The match began with Juventus Women in an early ascendancy and on 11 minutes, Juve’s pressure told, as a fine one-two between Lina Hurtig and Annahita Zamanian saw the Swede go one-on-one with goalkeeper, Rebecca Di Franzo as she poked the ball into the net to give Rita Guarino’s girls the lead. 10 minutes later and Juve doubled their advantage, Martina Rosucci’s cross found Andrea Staskova at the back post, her shot deflected into the path of Linda Sembrant and the defender tapped in from close-range to make it 2-0. Despite more chances coming from Juve, Bari were able to keep it at only two goals, largely thanks to the heroics of their goalkeeper.
Into the second half and Juventus Women flew into fifth gear! On 56 minutes and under pressure from Girelli on Boattin’s cross, Marthe Enlid turned into her own net to put Juve three-up. However, five minutes later Emelie Helmvall gave the visitors a lifeline when she was sent through one-on-one after a one-two, and she finished past Doris Bacic to pull a goal back. Any thoughts of a comeback were swiftly halted however, as after threatening Girelli finally got in on the act when she met Cecilia Salvai’s cross with a trademark header to make it four.
On 66 minutes, Andrea Staskova put Juve five-up when second half substitute, Maria Alves’ cross found the Czech attacker who controlled brilliantly fired the ball into the far corner beyond Di Fronzo’s reach. Three minutes later and Girelli scored a work of art, meeting a cross into the box with a sublime overhead kick that gave the goalkeeper no chance. There was no stopping Girelli and in less than 10 minutes from scoring her first, Juve’s no. 10 sealed her hat-trick, putting a powerful finish underneath the crossbar.
10 minutes from time, Captain Salvai looped in a header from a corner kick to make it eight, before finally Girelli scored her fourth of the match with another classic header to give Juventus Women an incredible 9-1 win over Pink Bari!
