30 March 2024
Juventus Women returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion in Biella on Saturday afternoon, putting four without response past Fiorentina. The Bianconere succesfully avenged the recent Italian Cup semi-final and put eight points between themselves in second place and the Viola in third.
TACTICAL CHOICES
Giuseppe Zappella shuffled his deck for this one, and opted for Sara Gama from the start at right-back, with Martina Lenzini shifting into the centre to accompany Viola Calligaris. Leading the line of attack, Joe Echegini returned to take her position from the start in support of Cristiana Girelli, Lineth Beeresnteyn and Lindsey Thomas.
A SPRINT START
The first chance fell the way of Fiorentina but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin had an answer for Madelen Janogy's effort, and not too much longer had passed by the time the Bianconere got their noses in front thanks to a beauty from Julia Grosso. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, she perfectly picked out the top corner of Rachele Baldi's goal with a finish similar to her strike in the 5-0 win at home to Inter earlier this season.
Moments later the lead was doubled, with Joe Echegini instantly justifying the decision to start her. Some excellent work on the left from Beerensteyn ended with a cutback that landed right on the Nigerian's boot, and she made no mistake in dispatching from in front of goal.
JOE TAKES CENTRE STAGE, AND THE MATCH BALL
The break served as respite for Fiorentina, but Juventus came out in the second half with the same desire they had shown in the first. Echegini made it 3-0 shortly after the restart, and she sealed her first hat-trick with the Bianconere just a few short minutes later again.
It could have even ended 5-0, but Beerensteyn was denied by Baldi late on.
Now the Bianconere break away on international duty before returning with a huge game away against Roma as the Poule Scudetto takes off.
With more performances like today's, anything is possible. Well done, ladies!
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
GIUSEPPE ZAPPELLA
“The rest week really allowed us to work calmly and focus on playing more directly, which is one of the things we’re best at. We raised our intensity on the pitch, especially after our opening goal, but today I really liked how we defended. The girls were, especially in the second half, compact and worked well by helping each other. Then, when we play direct football, we know how to do damage.
“We have [Martina] Lenzini who I believe is the best centre-back in Italy, and I’ll try to play her there more often. Besides her, the whole team has a lot to offer, just look at the performance of captain [Sara] Gama today. In short, there were a lot of positives and defending is something that requires the whole team.
“Joe [Echegini] has scored eight goals in just a few weeks. She’s a quiet girl, her smiles are good for us, and she scores goals. Honestly, we don’t know what her ceiling is.
“This win gives us some reassurances after more than a month without a win. We’re very happy.”
JOE ECHEGINI
“I’m, firstly, really excited and I want to give props to my team. For every one of those goals, we all worked for it and they’re great team goals. I really just had to put myself in the position and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.
“I’m really excited to have had the opportunity to be able to show what I can do, that makes me happy. I just want to make the most out of any opportunity I get, whether I score or not I want to be able to make an impact and I’m glad to have done that today.
"I know my strengths. Last year I scored 16 goals and knowing that I always try to put myself in the best position to score, that’s one of my best attributes and I want to make use of it as best I can.”
JUVENTUS WOMEN 4-0 FIORENTINA
Goals: 11’ Grosso (J), 13’ Echegini (J), 55' Echegini (J), 63' Echegini (J)
Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Gama (Cap), Lenzini, Calligaris, Boattin, Caruso (52' Gunnarsdottir), Grosso, Echegini (74' Garbino), Thomas (52' Cantore (74' Bonansea)), Beerensteyn, Girelli (83' Nystrom).
Unused subs: Aprile, Bragonzi, Cascarino, Salvai.
Coach: Giuseppe Zappella
Fiorentina: Baldi, Tortelli (Cap), Longo (74' Lundin), Hammarlund (52' Bellucci), Erzen (74' Toniolo), Janogy, Johannsdottir (52' Mijatovic), Severini (84' Cinotti), Georgieva, Faerge, Boquete Giadans.
Unused subs: Schroffenegger, Parisi, Tucceri, Agard.
Coach: Sebastian De La Fuente
Referee: Rinaldi Carlo
Assistants: Cassano Alessandro, Farina Carlo
Fourth official: Dell’Oro Daniele
Bookings: 69' Longo (F), 87' Bonansea (J)
