07 January 2024
Juventus Women enjoyed the best possible start to 2024 as they beat Roma 2-1 in Cremona to get their hands on the Italian Super Cup. In difficult conditions under the rain, the Bianconere stood stubborn and firm and managed to clinch yet more silverware in their first game of the calendar year.
The winner eventually came from Maelle Garbino, whose moment of magic was enough to decide the game in the Bianconere's favour, and it was a goal worthy of winning any game.
And so, 2024 begins with a trophy for Juventus.
What a game!
The Bianconere started the game on the front foot and with Roma's goal in their sights. The first chance of the game fell to Linda Sembrant, though her header on the end of a corner went just over the crossbar.
But it didn't take long for the lead to come with Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir getting the final Juventus touch on a scramble in the box, and her effort was helped into the back of the net by Roma's Evelyne Viens.
With that, Juventus took a deserved lead after a good start to the game, and the celebration showed that they knew there was a long way to go and they would have to deal with a reaction from Roma.
Roma react
Roma then came knocking themselves, woken by Juventus' opener. Alessandro Spugna's side looked to press more and more, but Martina Lenzini was excellent in dealing with everything Emilie Haavi threw at her.
The goal came from Saki Kumagai, and from range, but there was nothing that Pauline Peyraud-Magnin could have done to keep the Japan international's effort out of the top corner.
Despite facing increased pressure, our Bianconere didn't let their heads drop. Peyraud-Magnin had to keep Giada Greggi out, and nothing could beat her after Kumagai's strike.
Juventus went in search of a second of their own at the other end. Lineth Beerensteyn and Sofia Cantore had their chances, but just couldn't find the net.
Garbino's gem seals the Super Cup
The second half was cagier on both sides, each knowing how fatal a slip could be. In the 53rd minute another chance came the Bianconere's way, but Cantore sent her left-footed strike wide.
There was no time to let any heads drop over any missed chances though, and Maelle Garbino produced a moment of magic shortly after. Getting the ball on the right, she turned in onto her left foot and found the very top corner of Camelia Ceasar's goal, leaving the Roma goalkeeper with no hope of keeping it out.
Super Cup champions!
Juventus then had to resist and Estelle Cascarino was a wall at the back, protecting Peyraud-Magnin's goal with everything she had.
The final moments were tense as the Bianconere held on, but they dug in and did just that to get over the line and celebrate a perfect start to 2024 - as Super Cup champions.
Congratulations, ladies!
Montemurro's post-match comments
"It was a deserved win, the girls worked well this week," coach Joe Montemurro began. "They were focused, and they and the staff deserved this. Today we saw the fruits of that work.
"I don't see this as a trophy won in difficulty, we won a lot of games well before the Sampdoria game, and today was a great game wherein we showed who we are and what we can do when with the right application.
"I believe the way we started the game, we could have scored another goal in the first half. But even then we were good without the ball, in difficult moments, and we knew how to resist against a really good team. I'm happy with the win and that we put on a great show for Italian women's football."
