18 November 2021
It was another historic night for Juventus Women as they stunned Wolfsburg in Germany to put their Champions League destiny in their own hands.
Kathrin-Julia Hendrich's own goal in the first half and a late second by Andrea Staskova – combined with a solid defensive display – secured a 2-0 success on German soil, the likes of which we could only dream about a few months ago. However, it was no less than our girls deserved and means they can now nurture real ambitions of reaching the next round.
The 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture in Turin had proved Juventus Women could hold their own with the German heavyweights and they came to Wolfsburg looking to go one better. Joe Montemurro stuck with his usual 4-3-3 formation but brought Lenzini in at right-back, alongside Boattin, Salvai and Gama, with Peyraud-Magnin in goal. The midfield was formed by Rosucci, Pedersen and Cernoia, with Girelli, Hurtig and Bonansea the front three.
Wolfsburg started on the front foot, looking to extinguish the Bianconere's hopes early doors, but our girls kept things tidy, displaying grit in defence and quality in their attacking play.
Cernoia had to go off with an injury just 20 minutes into the game, with Caruso coming on in her place.
Juve's best chance of the half came 10 minutes later, when Bonansea and Rosucci saw two shots blocked in quick succession before Bonansea failed to hit the target with her second attempt. Caruso did then find the target shortly after, but without troubling the keeper.
Wolfsburg created a few potentially dangerous openings but were kept at bay by a well-marshalled defence.
The second half began with another huge opportunity for Montemurro's girls. Bonansea sent the ball into the box, Girelli stretched for it at the back stick but missed out by a whisker.
However, a goal Juve was in the air and – after Peyraud-Magnin had saved from Huth – it duly came.
Rosucci won the ball in Wolfsburg territory and played in Girelli on the wing. Her cross was aimed for Hurtig but Hendrich beat her to it, only to send the ball into her own net. 1-0.
Wolfsburg looked to hit back but Juve kept their calm and played with the maturity of a great team, showing no signs of fear. If anything it was the hosts who began to look fearful as the minutes wore on.
With the clock running down in added time, Staskova wrapped up the win. Bonansea raced forward on the break, drawing the attention of all the green shirts before sliding across for the Czech striker, who had time to control and finish – the move and the match.
Juventus Women thus head home with a historic win that sees them leapfrog their opponents in the Group A standings: two points ahead with two games left to play.
More importantly, though, this result and performance are a clear message to Europe that Juventus Women are a team to be reckoned with.
