26 August 2024
The final test of a packed pre-season went well for our Bianconere, who closed out their summer with a comprehensive 4-0 win against Serie B side Freedom FC at Vinovo. Lindsey Thomas, Amalie Vangsgaard (two), and Sofia Cantore were all on target.
Now, attention swiftly turns to the opening game of the 2024/25 season away at Sassuolo on Sunday, 1 September.
THE MATCH
The Bianconere started strong, and went close twice early on through Amalie Vangsgaard and Asia Bragonzi, but just couldn’t find the breakthrough in the first quarter of an hour.
That wait soon ended though when Lindsey Thomas finished in the 18th minute, nicely slotting home after a loose ball appeared on the end of a corner.
Bragonzi came close to a second after being set up by Alisha Lehmann, and then both Viola Calligaris and Paulina Krumbiegel hit the crossbar in the space of two minutes.
Vangsgaard made it 2-0 with 35 minutes on the clock, and Eva Schatzer came close to adding a third before the break when Thomas teed her up.
It wasn’t until the second half that the third goal came, with Vangsgaard securing her brace on the end of a Lehmann assist, and then Coach Massimiliano Canzi made a number of changes.
One of those introductions - Sofia Cantore - added the Bianconere’s fourth.
More goals could have come and very nearly did, but Cantore and Chiara Beccari were each thwarted by the woodwork.
And so the final pre-season test for our ladies ended with another win, this time 4-0, and all eyes are now on the Serie A opener on the road at Sassuolo!
COACH MASSIMILIANO CANZI'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“Today was our last friendly, and it was important to come into the game with the right attitude. The result gives us confidence and I’m happy with how the girls took to the field today.
“Now we have to start to get serious, we’re at a good point, but we cannot expect to be at 100% because the season is long, but we’re definitely happy with our preparation.
“They were very compact at the start, there wasn’t much space, and we were trying to find ways to hurt them. Defensively there’s not much to say because we were never at risk. We created a lot of chances, but we need to be more clinical because we won’t always be able to make so many.
“I told the girls that from Tuesday, when we’re back together, that it would be our first ‘normal week’. We all want to start playing and fighting for points, we’ve trained a lot and we have our goals very clearly in our minds.”
SOFIA CANTORE'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“I’m very pleased with how we’ve prepared for the season, we’ve worked well and there’s a good atmosphere in the group. There are a lot of new players and it’s not easy to settle into a new side, but they’ve all done so immediately and they’re forming part of a great group.
“I want to do well and score a lot this season, I’ll try to be as clinical as I can. My aim is to hit double figures for goals because, for one reason or another, I’ve never managed it. My physical condition is important for the way I play, and the way we play now works well for me.
“Facing international teams this summer has helped us to prepare for European matches. We’ve shown that we can compete against anybody, and against Bayern Munich we played well so we’re confident. Of course, it will be tough but I’m positive.”
EVA SCHATZER'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS
“My year on loan at Sampdoria was very important for me. I grew a lot both as a player and as a person, all of this has me ready for this season with Juventus.
“The coach is very direct, he has his clear ideas and he explains them to us every day. I’m very happy to be working with him. He wants us midfielders to get involved on the ball, to carry it but also to push up and help out in attack. We have to provide balance, but we also have to take part in attack.
“So far I’ve seen good things about the way we’re working, we’re training well and we can have a good season.”
JUVENTUS WOMEN 4-0 FREEDOM FC
Goals: 17’ Thomas (J), 36’ Vangsgaard (J), 56' Vangsgaard (J), 70' Cantore (J)
Juventus: Capelletti (60' Mustafic), Gama (C) (60' Kullberg), Schatzer (60' Caruso), Lehmann (60' Beccari), Vangsgaard (60' Girelli), Bragonzi (60' Cantore), Thomas (60' Bergamaschi), Cascarino (60' Gallo), Pelgander (60' Bennison), Calligaris (41’ Lenzini), Krumbiegel.
Unused subs: Rosucci, Belotto.
Coach: Massimiliano Canzi.
Freedom: Maffei (75' Marenco), Martin Santamaria (C)(46' Semanova), Tamborini (68' Dicataldo), Diaz Ferrer (46' Devoto), Korenciova, Stankova, Giuliano (68' Coda), Cuciniello (75' Aime), Pasquali (68' Battaglioli), Zanni (75' Micheli), Imprezzabile.
Unused subs: Petre, Borello, Poli.
Coach: Ardito Michele.
Referee: Federico Leuci
Assistants: Alessandro Rosso, Alessio De Bernardo
