28 April 2018
Juventus Women lead at the interval in Vinovo after Sanni Franssi’s strike in the 43rd minute gave them the advantage when the Finnish striker tapped home from Arianna Caruso’s ball in from the right. In the second period, Aurora Galli sent a dangerous ball into the Ravenna box which deflected off of Sofia Cantore to go past the Ravenna keeper. Deep into stoppage time Ravenna Woman were able to pull a goal back when Emma Errico headed past Laura Giuliani, but Juve were able to hang on to claim all three points.
The Bianconere went on the front foot from the off and caused panic to the Ravenna defence after just six minutes when the ball dropped to centreback, Cecilia Salvai from a corner and her strike at goal was cleared off the line. Guarino’s girls went on to create a number of openings without finding a breakthrough, with Giuliani left relatively untroubled as the visitors were only able to conjure up one shot on target in the first half.
In the 43rd minute, Katie Zelem sent in a corner from the Bianconere’s left-hand side and a scramble led to the ball falling to Caruso and the midfielder played a low ball back across the goalmouth for Franssi to tap in. The striker netting her second goal in two games.
The second half started much the same as the first with Juventus Women again going on the front foot, but again being denied at the last second by either the Ravenna defence or goalkeeper. However, the Bianconere’s patience paid off as they finally doubled their lead with 12 minutes to go as Galli swung in a dangerous low ball from the right that took a touch off of second half substitute, Cantore to end up in the back of the net.
Ravenna were able to pull a goal back in the dying embers of the match when Errico got up to meet a cross into the Juventus Women’s box to head past Giuliani, who could do nothing about the effort. However, it proved to be nothing more than a consolation as Juventus Women claimed a well-earned victory.
Next up, the Bianconere will again be in action at Vinovo as they take on Brescia in the Women’s Coppa Italia quarter-finals on Wednesday 2 May (15:00 CEST).
