17 January 2024
Juventus Women return home in a comfortable position after the first leg of their Italian Cup quarter-final away at Sampdoria, taking a 4-0 scoreline back ahead of the second leg in a few weeks’ time.
Barbara Bonansea (two), Cristiana Girelli and Maelle Garbino got the goals for the Bianconere in Liguria, who ended the game a player down as Cecilia Salvai was dismissed for two yellow cards.
The day will ultimately be remembered as the day on which Arianna Caruso made her 200th appearance for the club, becoming the first player in the history of Juventus Women to hit the milestone.
The match
Juventus came out on the front foot, clearly taking coach Joe Montemurro’s pre-match words on board and seeking revenge for the loss at Samp in December. Caruso looked to find a way to goal first, but her shot was cleared off the line. Melissa Bellucci then followed and hit the crossbar, before Cristiana Girelli tried her luck to no avail.
But the Bianconere went in at the break with the lead thanks to Bonansea. Weaving her way in from the left and with barely any goal to aim at, she managed to squeeze a shot in at the near post to open the scoring.
The pace only increased in the second half, and the introduction of Viola Calligaris for the first time as a Juventus player indirectly sparked life into the game.
With Salvai fouled in the box, Juventus had a penalty. Although Girelli missed from the spot, she was there to fire in the rebound and give the Bianconere some breathing room.
Montemurro’s team kept going, and two stunning strikes then followed. First, Bonansea rifled in a powerful effort from range, and then Maelle Garbino submitted her own contender for goal of the game, and her second contender for goal of the month after her decisive strike in the recent Italian Super Cup.
That was where the scoring would stop, but Salvai was sent off late on for a second yellow card, ruling her out of the second leg in Biella on February 7.
And so it ended 4-0 to the Bianconere, who are in a real position of strength ahead of that second leg and continue their perfect start to 2024. Now, all eyes are on the trip to Sassuolo on Sunday, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
Let’s go, girls!
COACH JOE MONTEMURRO'S WORDS
“It was an important match for the group, especially because we want to move forward in the Italian Cup - a competition we care about a lot, even more so as reigning champions. For me it was essential to see what the strength of the group was, and to be able to get the most even from those who are playing less or don't always find time on the pitch. Compared to the December defeat against Sampdoria, it was all a question of mentality and approach to the match: last month we were coming off a series of positive matches and we had taken a match for granted, which then went badly. We also have to congratulate Sampdoria: they play their game and know how to bring home points, which is why things didn't go well for us in December. I am pleased to work with Arianna Caruso, both on a personal level and in the way she interacts with the group: she is a symbol of this team, wearing the Juventus shirt is a source of pride for her and it is nice to see how in these 200 matches has grown into a high-level player not only in Italy, but also internationally.”
ARIANNA CARUSO'S WORDS
“This 0-4 win at Sampdoria is a very important victory for us, coming on a pitch where we have dropped some important points in the recent past. For this reason I am really happy for the team's success and also for my 200 appearances with the Juventus Women shirt: an achievement that was only a dream and which today I managed to achieve."
CRISTIANA GIRELLI'S WORDS
“I am very happy to have scored and to be back to scoring after also starting once again. I'm also happy for the team because I think we played a good game. We managed to score a few really nice goals and above all we are on the verge of qualification for the semi-finals of the Italian Cup. Now let's move on to the next match, at Sassuolo: a very important match for us, we know that they are strong at home and so we'll think about that from tomorrow. I am very happy for Arianna Caruso on her 200 appearances with Juventus Women, she is now a veteran: for her age, having all these matches with our shirt really means a lot. I'm happy for her and I hope she manages to make many more appearances for Juventus, along with many more trophies and victories."
Sampdoria 0-4 Juventus Women (0-1)
Goalscorers: 40’Bonansea (J), 59' Girelli (J), 62, Bonansea (J), 66' Garbino (J)
Sampdoria: Karresma, Marenco, Heroum, Re, Oliviero, Fallico (46' Della Peruta T.V.), Battellani (71' Schatzer), Nagy, Brustia (62' Benoit), Sondegaard, Tarenzi (46' Della Peruta V.M.) (cap).
Unused subs: De Rita, Cuschieri, Pisani, Tinti, Micheli.
Coach: Salvatore Mango
Juventus: Aprile, Gama (cap), Salvai, Cafferata, Lenzini (57' Calligaris), Bellucci, Palis, Caruso (66' Grosso), Garbino (75' Sliskovic), Bonansea (75' Thomas), Girelli (66' Bragonzi).
Unused subs: Toniolo, Boattin, Cascarino, Cantore, Thomas.
Allenatore: Joe Montemurro
Referee: Giaccaglia Filippo (Jesi)
Assistants: Starnini Massimiliano, De Luca Carlo
Bookings: 54' Bonansea (J), 80' Thomas (J)
Red cards: 84' Salvai (J) for a second yellow card
