15 December 2022
A 45 minute delay due to snow on the pitch did not knock Juventus Women off their stride as they defeated FC Zurich 5-0 in the Champions League.
Four of the goals were scored by Cristiana Girelli, one by Lineth Beerensteyn, who also set one up and won two penalties, as the Bianconere proved too much to handle for the Swiss side.
Three points that propel Joe Montemurro’s team towards the final group stage match next week against Lyon with qualification on the line.
THE MATCH
Juventus got off to a flying start. From their first corner a Beerensteyn flick was met immediately by Girelli, who with another back-heel flick turned the ball into the net. Two minutes had elapsed and the Bianconere had already made the crucial breakthrough.
The visitors’ gameplan of frustrating Juve needed revising and in fact Zurich pushed forward and created a chance of their own on six minutes. Alayah Pilgrim found herself one on one with Pauline Peyraud-Magnin but the teenage striker, on her first Champions League start, fired into the side netting.
Juventus were enjoying the space in the centre of the park. Girelli and Arianna Caruso were swapping positions, as were Barbara Bonansea and Beerensteyn, and it was the latter who scored the second goal of the night from a corner won by a smart turn and shot by Bonansea.
From the set piece, the Dutch winger at the near post got the most delicate of touches to divert the ball into the net.
25 minutes on the clock and Juve were two goals to the good.
Joe Montemurro’s side continued to dominate possession - they would finish the first half with 61% of the ball - but there was a final twist before the opening 45 minutes were up. First, a let-off in the Juve defence when Zurich worked an opening down their left flank. The cross reached Viktoria Pinther, who shot wide with the goal at her mercy.
Juve heeded the warning and broke straight up the pitch. Beerensteyn sprinted behind the defence only to be pushed over as she entered the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot. Up stepped Girelli, who chipped the ball into the net for goal number three.
Despite their healthy advantage Juve did not let up in the second half. The Bianconere continued to press in midfield, winning possession and creating chances. Bonansea hit an effort over the bar from an excellent position before the hosts added two goals in two minutes - both from Girelli.
The number 10 drilled home her hat-trick to finish off an excellent move from Juve that involved Matilde Lundorf, Bonansea and Beerensteyn who together unlocked the Zurich backline, leaving Girelli the task of beating Seraina Friedli for the third time.
The next attack would give her a chance to add her fourth goal of the evening. Again Beersensteyn proved too much to handle as she ran at the opposition defence, and was chopped down inside the area. Girelli made no mistake again from the penalty spot.
With a quarter of the match remaining, the action was anything but over. Peyraud-Magnin, determined to take home a clean sheet, made the save of the match before Naomi Megroz rattled the Juve crossbar with a long-range effort. At the other end there was time for Sofia Cantore to hit the post before the final whistle.
Juve did what was asked of them - three points with a result that boosts their goal difference before the closing fixture against none other than the defending champions, Lyon, next week.
JUVENTUS 5-0 FC ZURICH (HT: 3-0)
SCORERS: 2′, 45’ (pen), 57’, 59’ (pen) Girelli (J), 25′ Beerensteyn (J).
JUVENTUS: Peyraud-Magnin; Lenzini (53′ Lundorf), Sembrant, Salvai, Boattin; Caruso (69′ Zamanian), Pedersen (77′ Rosucci), Cernoia; Bonansea (69′ Bonfantini), Girelli (77′ Cantore), Beerensteyn. Subs not used: Aprile, Forcinella, Gama, Grosso, Bertucci, Schatzer, Duljan. Coach: Montemurro.
ZURICH: Friedli; Riesen, Stierli, Vetterlein, Pando; Piubel, Bernauer (32′ Megroz), Rey (60′ Wos), Pinther (77′ Enz); Pilgrim (60′ Egli), Humm. Subs not used: Romero, Bollman, Markou, Hobinger, Schefer. Coach: Grings.
Referee: Hussein.
BOOKINGS: 49′ Vetterlein (Z), 44’ & 84’ Pando (Z), 72’ Pinter (Z).
SENDING OFF: 84’ Pando (Z)
