04 September 2023
Juventus Women's first competitive match of the 2023/24 season is getting closer.
On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, at 13:00 CEST, the Bianconere will take the field in Frankfurt for the first game of the Women's Champions League qualification mini-tournament. Our first opponents will be Kazakh side Ozkhetpes.
A win will allow us to advance to the next round of the qualification stages, which will be played on Saturday, September 9, again in Frankfurt.
Ahead of this first competitive game and fresh after signing a contract extension at Juve until 2026, coach Joe Montemurro and captain Sara Gama spoke to the press at Vinovo.
The coach's renewal was announced during the press conference, just a couple of days before the Women's Champions League qualification begins.
Below are coach Montemurro and captain Gama's words.
SARA GAMA
Looking ahead to the first competitive game
"We're ready to get going this season. A lot of new players have come in and the team is strong. We've worked well in the last few weeks to be ready for our first competitive game. We know it won't be easy, but we'll play our hand. The group is working well, and everything is set for a good season."
The Women's Champions League qualification mini-tournament
"Roma deservedly won the Scudetto last year, but this is a new season and we'll give our all to get back to winning ways. We have to take one step at a time. Now, there's the UWCL qualification, so our focus is on this competition at the moment."
Pre-season preparation
"Our pre-season started later than other sides, but we got straight into it and have been working well. Everything had been planned to come into Wednesday's game in the best possible shape. Our aim is to win and to have a chance of qualifying for the next round on Saturday."
New teammates
"The new players have impressed me a lot. They're technically very good and have come here with real humility. I think they were really important additions to complete our squad. As I said already, everything is there for us to do well."
JOE MONTEMURRO
The coach's approach
"We have to approach the Ozkhetpes game with humility and we know we have to impose our game on them, just as we've tried to do in pre-season. You'll see a very proactive team this season. We've brought in players with great attacking talent and it will be important to make the most of that."
The summer transfer market
"I'm very happy with our signings. We've brought in players with really good profiles and we've already seen very positive signs in the friendlies. We need to keep working in this same way."
The condition of the squad
"Overall, the team is good. Of course there is some fatigue after an intense pre-season, but we knew that would be the case. There's a lot of enthusiasm within the group, and that's so important for us."
Juventus Women's characteristics
"You'll see a very proactive team this season. We've brought in players with great attacking talent and it will be important to make the most of that without losing sight of the importance of our defensive responsibilities."
