11 February 2024
Having won in midweek to confirm their place in the semi-finals of the Italian Cup, Juventus Women were in fine form on Sunday evening to win 5-0 at home to Como Women. A brace from Cristiana Girelli followed Maelle Garbino’s opener, before Lisa Boattin and Lindsey Thomas scored late on.
The match
The Bianconere started the game well, and in the opening minutes went within inches of an opening goal when Boattin tried her luck from way out, only to see her effort clip the top of the crossbar and go over. It was Boattin again who went close moments later, this time with her head on the end of a cross from Martina Lenzini.
Sofia Cantore was looking active on the right and she was troubling Como’s defence, so it was no surprise that the opening goal came from her work. Forcing her way to the byline, Cantore fired across goal where Garbino was on hand to tap in from close range, and the Bianconere deservedly found themselves ahead.
Como looked to hit back immediately through Zsanett Kajan, and although she managed to beat Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, Lenzini heroically made it back to clear off the line. From the resulting corner, Martina was again the wall that kept Julia Karlernas out.
Then Juventus came back at the visitors. Joe Echegini tried to get her name on the scoresheet, but the second would come through Cristiana Girelli’s head, like we’ve seen so many times before and just days after her Italian Cup goal sealed a 1-0 win against Sampdoria.
It was Girelli who got the third in the second half too, with Cecilia Salvai playing the role of provider to bring a cool presence to some chaos in the box. From there, Como were unable to settle again.
Boattin got the goal she deserved by rifling in a low effort from the edge of the box, and Thomas put the icing on the cake with a late finish when put through on goal.
There were more positives to come as Joe Montemurro rang the changes, and the introductions of Asia Bragonzi and Elsa Pelgander in particular pleased those in attendance in Biella.
In all, it was a perfect evening’s work from the Bianconere.
Joe Montemurro’s comments
“We’re very fortunate to have such a good squad and to have the ability to choose the players to play depending on the team we come up against. Today the choices were right, and we’re very happy with a really good result. I saw a Juventus side that looked very close to my idea of the game, and we hope to continue in this direction. We’re taking things one game at a time and not looking too far ahead. We have to train every day with that same goal, which the players know and they’re working well.”
Lisa Boattin’s post-Como comments
“It seemed like the goal just wouldn’t come for me, but in the end I managed to score and it was beautiful. I’ve felt like I’ve been lacking that little bit in this last while, but I’m working on a daily basis to get back to my best again and I think the goal will do a lot of good for me. Scoring a lot like we have today gives confidence. We’re happy with the result, but from tomorrow on we’re thinking about Inter.”
Cristiana Girelli's post-match words
“I’m happy to start in Serie A again and to have contributed to the win with two goals. I dedicate the goals to us, and I hope that this win is the beginning of a new path for the team, with the hope that we will get back on track and aim higher and higher towards big things. For now, our aim has to be to win every game until the end of the season, aware of the importance of the shirt that we wear.
“As for my injury, fortunately it was probably my first time away from the pitch for so long, but it wasn’t an easy period. I tried to work physically to be ready as soon as possible to help my teammates.”
Juventus 5-0 Como Women
Goals: 16’ Garbino (J), 33’ Girelli (J), 50' Girelli (J), 56' Boattin (J), 85' Thomas (J)
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Lenzini (63' Gama), Salvai (C), Cascarino, Boattin, Caruso (54' Palis), Grosso (63' Thomas), Echegini (74' Pelgander), Cantore, Girelli (74' Bragonzi), Garbino.
Unused subs: Aprile, Bonansea, Beerensteyn, Calligaris.
Coach: Joseph Montemurro.
Como: Lipman, Zanoli (54' Lundorf), Bergersen, Skorvankova (60' Sevenius), Kajan, Korenciova, Karlernas (64' Picchi), Hilaj (60' Pastrenge), Vaitukaityte, Rizzon (C), Monnecchi (60' Martinovic).
Unused subs: Gilardi, Colombo, Liva, Bianchi.
Coach: Marco Bruzzano.
Referee: Catanzaro
Assistants: Picciche - Leotta
Bookings: 68' Vaitukaitye (C)
