06 May 2023
Juventus Women looked to return to winning ways after two matches without success but saw all their positive work undone in stoppage time as Inter left Vinovo with a point following a 2-2 draw in Matchday 7 of the Scudetto Phase in Serie A.
Sofie Pedersen and Sofia Cantore put the Bianconere in a commanding position inside the opening 15 minutes, a lead that was seldom put under threat as the clock ticked into the closing quarter of an hour. However, after reducing the deficit through Elisa Polli, the visitors completed the comeback in stoppage time when Tabitha Chawinga scored from close range.
THE MATCH
With Champions League qualification guaranteed, Juventus Women took to the pitch against Inter determined to finish the league campaign on a positive note while trying out some tactical experimentation. In fact, Joe Montemurro opted for a 3-5-2 set up, with the experience of Sara Gama in support of Martina Lenzini and January arrival Bénédicte Simon in the new-look backline.
Exactly as had happened in the previous meeting between the two sides at Vinovo, in the Coppa Italia in March, Juve took the lead on two minutes. From midway inside the Nerazzurre half, after holding off an initial challenge, Sofie Pederesn headed straight for the visitors’ penalty area. The midfielder let fly just as she entered the box, leaving Francesca Durante no chance.
Not satisfied with just one early goal, the Bianconere scored a second on the quarter-hour mark. Paulina Nyström and Sofia Cantore linked up well on the break to release Barbara Bonansea. The winger jinked her way to the byline and shot from a tight angle. Although her effort was blocked, Bonansea won the header from the rebound, directing the ball towards Cantore, who made the finest of touches to divert into the net.
The two-goal cushion was welcomed especially considering at 1-0 Pauline Peyraud-Magnin had made an important close-range save to keep out Tabitha Chawinga. The goalkeeper was rarely called upon for the remainder of the opening half as Juve headed into the break with their two-goal advantage intact.
Immediately after the interval Cantore was presented with a chance to put even more daylight between the teams. Amanda Nilden delivered a cross from the left deep inside Inter territory. The ball evaded the entire defence before arriving to Cantore, who stabbed wide from the six-yard line.
The look of the defence underwent a further change after the introduction of Lisa Boatin for Lenzini at half-time when with a quarter of the match remaining Simon limped off, replaced by Sara Gunnarsdóttir, one of three substitutes brought on, with Perdersen moving into the backline.
The Bianconere were not given time to settle into the game when Inter gave themselves a lifeline. Elisa Polli headed home from close range.
Lineth Beerenseyn came close to restoring Juve's two-goal lead but both chances were dealt with by Durante in the Inter goal.
Five minutes were added at the end of the 90, and they proved to be crucial for the outcome of the match. Two minutes into that time added on, Ghoutia Karchouni cut across midfield before slipping a pass into the path of Chawinga, who shot high beyond Peyraud-Magnin.
After letting a lead slip for a third consecutive match, the Bianconere charged forward but Juve had to settle for a share of the points with an opponent from Milan for the second week in succession.
JUVENTUS WOMEN 2-2 INTER (HT: 2-0)
SCORERS: 2′ Pedersen, 15’ Cantore, 75′ Polli, 90+2′ Chawinga
JUVENTUS: Peyraud Magnin; Gama, Lenzini (46′ Boattin), Simon (70′ Gunnarsdóttir); Bonansea, Cernoia (84′ Bertucci), Gunnarsdottir, Pedersen, Caruso (70′ Beerensteyn), Nilden; Cantore, Nyström (70′ Girelli). Subs not used: Forcinella, D’Auria, Duljan, Grosso. Coach: Montemurro.
INTER: Durante; Sonstevold, Alborghetti, Fordos (46′ Kristjansdottir); Thøgersen, Karchouni, Mihashi (67′ Eckhoff) , Pandini, Merlo (67′ Robustellini); Polli, (77′ Bonetti), Chawinga. Subs not used: Piazza, Santi, Bonetti, Csiszar, Lang, Calegari. Coach: Guarino.
Referee: Emmanuele
BOOKINGS: 77′ Bonansea, 90+1’ Pedersen
