08 October 2024
Juventus were in the top 16 in Europe, on a journey full of promises, many of which were kept.
On the eve of Valerenga-Juve, which marks the team’s stylish return to the European elite (after the wonderful double victory over PSG), we look back at how the incredible 2021/22 edition of the UEFA Women's Champions League unfolded.
ARIANNA CARUSO SCORED THE FIRST GOAL OF THE GROUP STAGE
On that evening three years ago (6 October 2021), the Italian champions started very, very strongly: after only three minutes, a ball played by Andrea Staskova following Martina Rosucci's cross entered the goal area defended by Ines Pereira but went out. The Bianconere continued to press, and didn’t let up: there were no shortage of shots from Servette either, who had an incredible chance to go ahead in the 26th minute. Agnese Bonfantini was brought down in the box, Staskova took the penalty but it was saved by Pereira.
It could have been a shock but it wasn't: first Matilde Lundorf was looking dangerous and then, in the 36th minute, Arianna Caruso celebrated her contract renewal a few days earlier in style - it would be extended in March 2024 until 2026 – with a great ball from Lisa Boattin, a volley under the crossbar and a European goal.
TWO-NIL LOOMING, AND VALENTINA CERNOIA SCORES THE THIRD
Only Juve ended the first half with their foot on the accelerator and started the second half the same way, with Rosucci and Lina Hurtig looking dangerous.
They were on the verge of two-nil and in the 64th minute, a great ball from Staskova found Hurtig in a favourable position, who responded and increased the score; a score that – after the first and only burst by Servette, with Natalia Padilla hitting the post – ended in the 71st minute with Cernoia, who served the house speciality: a blast from outside the area that left them helpless.
And that is how it ended: the Bianconere were victorious in Geneva, Arianna Caruso crowned her golden week with the title of Player of the Match.
A BEAUTIFUL SEASON
The Juventus Women’s 2021/22 European campaign was a great one. Getting through the group stages was historic: finishing on the same points as Wolfsburg and only second place on goal difference, they would continue to dream despite the worst possible pairing in the quarter-finals: Olympique Lyonnais. It was a fantastic 2-1 for our girls in Turin, while the return match was mostly well-balanced, but the French went on to win 3-1, making it to the semi-finals.
For the record, Olympique Lyonnais won that edition of the Champions League, beating Barcelona at our very own Allianz Stadium.
