04 September 2023
The UEFA Women's Champions League is just around the corner for Joe Montemurro and his side, with the Bianconere set for their qualification mini-tournament in Frankfurt.
The new qualification format, which debuted last season, will see our Bianconere take on Kazakh side Okzhetpes first up, with the winner then facing whoever comes out on top between Eintracht Frankfurt and Slovacko. The winner of that game will then advance to the next qualification round.
Juventus made it through the qualification phase last season, and another challenge awaits this term.
Everything to play for against HB Koge: A 1-1 draw in the first leg in Denmark
In 2022/23, Juventus breezed through Group 6 of the qualifiers with a 4-0 win over RFCU Luxembourg and a 3-1 defeat of Kiryat Gat. So, only Danish side HB Koge stood in the way of the Bianconere and the group stage, with a two-legged tie in front of them.
The Danish side were further along in their season preparations in September, and the first leg away from home was a tough test. Amanda Nilden's goal allowed us to take a 1-1 draw back home with us, and the girls started well back on home soil. At half time we led 1-0, thanks to a Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir header on the end of a Lisa Boattin cross.
A gem from Cantore worthy of Champions League qualification
The second half began much like the first, but that knockout blow was missing. The Danes came back in an attempt to equalise, and the Bianconere were in need of a goal to settle things down.
Sofia Cantore gave us just that, pulling something out of a hat. Getting into the box, Sofia was able to finish a chance well and secure our place in the Champions League.
It was a goal that won't be forgotten by anybody at Juventus, and it's a good place to start this big week with another Women's Champions League qualification campaign set to begin.
