18 December 2024
The Juventus Women's First Team finished their Women's Champions League campaign and 2024 on a positive note, claiming a 3-0 win over Valerenga in Biella on Matchday six. The goals came from Valentina Bergamaschi, Sofia Cantore and Emma Kullberg.
It was a special occasion for one Bianconera, in particular, with Barbara Bonansea becoming just the third woman to make 200 appearances for Juventus, following Arianna Caruso and Lisa Boattin.
The Bianconere started the night on the front foot, and found themselves in front early on. After a fine brace on the weekend, the first of which was assisted excellently by Chiara Beccari, Sofia Cantore turned provider in similar style for Valentina Bergamaschi. Taking possession deep in her own half, Cantore charged forward before delivering a perfect cross that Bergamaschi finished at the back post.
Chances in the first half were then relatively few and far between, as the game became an increasingly combative contest.
Amalie Vangsgaard came close early in the second half to doubling the lead, but Tove Enblom pulled off a good stop.
Ten minutes after the restart it was two, and of course Cantore got herself on the scoresheet. Picking up a loose ball a long way from goal, she spotted Enblom off her line and perfectly dispatched a lob into the back of the net.
Emma Kullberg made it three soon after. Single-handedly leading a counterattack she set Alisha Lehmann in on goal, whose shot was well saved, and Kullberg followed in to head home the rebound.
POST MATCH COMMENTS
MASSIMILIANO CANZI
“We had control of the game, aside from the last ten minutes of the first half where we didn’t play our own game as much. But we’re satisfied with the rest.
“We believe we could have done more in this European campaign, maybe not qualify, but in terms of the difference between ourselves and those who advanced, we could have had a smaller gap. It was important for us to finish well, and people who have only seen us in Europe might have a different idea of what we are, but tonight was closer to the reality than we had shown in other games.
“We have no regrets. We played our games, we didn’t pick up as much as we would have liked, but I have very little to complain to the girls about, especially regarding their commitment. Now we close this chapter and focus on the league and Italian Cup.”
SOFIA CANTORE
“The results in the other games showed us that there’s a gap, but we know we could have done better, looking beyond just the results. We know we have to work hard to reach these levels, but we’re not all that far away.
“We’re happy with tonight, we’re left with the regret of not having managed more against the other sides.
“On my goal, they made a mistake and I got control of the ball. I was told to shoot, so I shot.”
AZZURRA GALLO
“My legs were shaking a bit, for sure. It was an overwhelming emotion because playing in the Champions League - and above all with this shirt - is a dream come true. I’m fortunate that my teammates helped me a lot.
“Training with the first team has been good, the level is very high, it’s a huge motivation for me and I feel like I’ve improved in every way on the ball, even if I still have a lot of developing still to do. As well, you learn to be fully focused at every second.”
BARBARA BONANSEA
“I’m genuinely emotional to make 200 appearances for this club, because wearing this shirt is something I dreamt about as a child, and hitting this milestone is hugely significant. It would have been the cherry on top of the cake had I scored, but it doesn’t matter in the end because we won and have ended 2024 on a positive note.
“There’s a slight bit of regret for this Champions League campaign, we know we could have done more, and that’ll help us to grow, but tonight it was important to play well, this is a competition with a different air to it.”
JUVENTUS WOMEN 3-0 VALERENGA
Uefa Women's Champions League – Group stage MD6
Stadio Pozzo – La Marmora, Wednesday 18 December, at 21.00
Goals: 6’ Bergamaschi (J), 56' Cantore (J), 64' Kullberg (J)
Juventus: Proulx, Kullberg, Calligaris, Boattin (77' Gallo), Thomas, Caruso (Cap), Schatzer (62' Rosucci), Bergamaschi (83' Krumbiegel), Cantore (62' Lehmann), Vangsgaard (77' Ferraresi), Bonansea.
Unused subs: Girelli, Bennison, Peyraud-Magnin, Bragonzi, Beccari, Capelletti, Lenzini.
Coach: Massimiliano Canzi
Valerenga: Enblom (86' Erichsen), Horte, Kovacs (68' Enger), Olsen, Lindwall, Thomsen (Cap), Vickius, Tvedten (68' Arnesen), Godo, Heidarsdottir, Saevik (77' Sesay).
Unused subs: Thorsnes, Hansen.
Coach: Nils Lexerod
Referee: Rivera Olmedo Olatz
Assistants: Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez, Ainhoa Fernandez
Fourth official: Zulema Gonzalez
Bookings: 35’ Schatzer (J)
