Debut with victory for Juventus Women on the first day of the Women’s Champions League Group stage. The Bianconere conquer the Valerenga pitch, achieving a fundamental 1-0 success in Norway decided by Sofia Cantore‘s goal in the first half.
THE MATCH
At the Intility Arena in Oslo the first chance of the match goes to the hosts: Saevik serves Thomsen in the penalty area, the latter hits a sure shot towards the Juventus goal but is decisive in opposing Lenzini who prevents Valerenga from finding the advantage. The Norwegians again came close to taking the lead with Tvedten missing the target midway through the first half. The person who frames him, once again, is Sofia Cantore one minute into the half hour of play: central incursion by Beccari who then widens to the left, inside the penalty area, to Cantore who centers himself and unleashes a right-footed shot towards the far post to break the deadlock. In the midst of an incredible double save by Bonansea – the first in an exceptional defensive retreat, the second rebounding a header with a sure shot on the goal line – the chance still for Cantore to double the lead without however managing to keep the powerful conclusion low, just exceeded the limit of the penalty area.
At the start of the second half the Norwegian club showed itself with intensity in the area of Peyraud-Magnin who was however able to always be attentive both when coming out low and between the posts, repelling a treacherous shot from Saevik. The first Juventus signal of the second half came from Vangsgaard who, served by Cascarino, shot high over the crossbar from a good position. She again becomes dangerous a little later by taking advantage of a vertical throw from Girelli and forcing the opponent’s goalkeeper to save. Eight minutes from the end, Calligaris’s effort was exceptional as he found himself in the right place at the right time, blocking Horte’s confident header on the goal line; just as the Norwegian goalkeeper is good at blocking another shot from Vangsgaard. The last thrill of the match falls on the feet of Stolen Godo who anticipates Cascarino in the penalty area with his tip but directs it out of the door. Massimiliano Canzi’s team triumphs in Oslo.
CANZI’S COMMENT
«What we achieved today are three very important points. We knew the level of the opponent, they are an excellent team – who in fact play in the Champions League – who have scored many goals this season and are very physically strong. We knew it would be difficult and in fact it was a tough match, we had chances and we usually score a lot of goals. We should have closed the match earlier, today it was important to win and start this phase in the best possible way.”
CANTORE’S COMMENT
«I am very happy with the victory because it was difficult and they are a very organized team. We are very happy with the three points, now we are ready to focus on the championship again this weekend. It’s important to start with three points because it’s a difficult group so we have to be careful in every game. Valerenga is an excellent team both physically and tactically, we knew them having seen many videos and we knew it would be a tough match. We were not surprised by their abilities.”
VANGSGAARD’S COMMENT
«It’s really important to start this phase of the Champions League with a victory, we have many games in the coming weeks and we need the three points to continue like this. All matches are difficult in this group, regardless of the opponent: this is the direction women’s football is going, there are no easy groups and there are no easy matches. Valerenga is an excellent team, they are good at corner kicks and at making crosses, they have many tall players and therefore they execute them well. But we defended very well.”
THE SCORESHEET
Uefa Women Champions League – Group stage MD1
Valerenga Stadion, Wednesday 9 October at 9pm
Markers: 29’ pt Cantore (J).
Valerenga: Enblom, Horte, Olsen, Thomsen (Cap), Thorsnes, Tvedten, Godo, Bjelde, Heidarsdottir, Saevik, Brekken (26’st Vickius). At your disposal: Kovacs, Lindwall, Sesay, Arnesen, Enger, Erichsen, Hansen. Coach: Lexerod Nils Unneberg.
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Lenzini, Calligaris, Cascarino, Bergamaschi, Caruso (Cap) (42’st Kullberg), Bennison (19’st Schatzer), Bonansea (19’st Girelli), Beccari (19’st Thomas), Cantore (31 ‘st Rosucci), Vangsgaard. Available: Gama, Lehmann, Bragonzi, Ferraresi, Capelletti, Gallo, Proulx. Coach: Canzi Massimiliano.
Referee: Braz Bastos Sandra.
Assistants: Goncalves Santos Sandrine, Graca Tavares Catiz Alexandra.
4th Officer: Pimenta Oliveira Teresa Alice.
Warned: 17’st Horte (V).
Serie A Women’s Championship, 6th day
Juventus – Rome, Sunday 13 October at 3.30pm
