20 October 2024
The first match of the season between Inter and Juventus Women’s First Team ended 0-0. The two teams tried - especially in the first half - to break the deadlock, but in the end neither side could find a winner. With this point the Bianconere remain sole leaders of the league table with 19 points, one ahead of Fiorentina who currently occupy second place. This Derby d'Italia also saw Sofia Cantore make her 100th appearance for the club, becoming the 14th player in the history of the Bianconere to do so.
THE MATCH REPORT
First Half: A lively start before settling down
The match began at a good pace, with both teams trying to implement their style of play.
In the 3rd minute it was Inter who had the first chance through Michela Cambiaghi's header from a corner kick, but Pauline Peyraud-Magnin was on hand to deal with it.
Juventus didn’t shy away from the challenge and two minutes later Cristiana Girelli tried to direct Martina Lenzini’s cross goalwards, but she was unable to find the target.
In the 7th minute the hosts threatened to open the scoring yet again: Lina Magull timed her run well but her effort went straight down the middle and was easy to deal with for Peyraud Magnin. .
Then it was time for two Juve chances, in the eighth and tenth minute: first Barbara Bonansea called Cecilia Runnarsdottir into action with an effort from outside the area, and then shortly afterwards Girelli was unable to turn in Bonansea’s pinpoint cross.
After a lively start, the tempo then dropped considerably, and the next chance did not come until the 27th minute when an Inter defender gave away an indirect free kick inside her own penalty area: Girelli’s powerful effort was blocked by a wall of defenders who were practically stood on the goal line before Valentina Bergamaschi put the rebound over the crossbar.
The clock was ticking down and the score looked set to be 0-0 going into half-time. However, both sides continued to push and in the 41st minute Sofia Cantore couldn’t quite convert Bergamaschi’s excellent delivery. A few moments later it was Bonansea, who beat Marija Milinkovic to the ball, but was unable to find the back of the net with her headed effort. With that last chance, the first half at the Arena Civica in Milan came to an end with the scores level 0-0.
SECOND HALF: THE STALEMATE CONTINUES
The second half began along the lines of the first, with a higher tempo and more chances.
The first opportunities fell to the Nerazzurri: Cambiaghi threatened twice, then Martina Tomaselli and Elisa Bartoli both came close, but it remained goalless at the hour mark.
Having prevented Inter from taking the advantage, Massimiliano Canzi's team then went on the offensive and came close on the 70th minute, when Chiara Beccari’s dangerous effort was parried away from goal by the Inter keeper.
Time continued to disappear, and the deadlock remained intact in Milan. On the 78th minute, Beatrice Merlo nearly opened the scoring, completely unintentionally, via an overhit cross that skimmed the Juve crossbar.
In the final five minutes, both teams pushed on to try and find a winner. In the 86th minute Hanna Bennison tried from a distance, but failed to score. Two minutes later, however, Paulina Krumbiegel made a great last ditch challenge to deny Bartoli at the other end. In the five minutes of added time, the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri tried once again to snatch a late goal, but neither side were able to do so. The first women's Derby d'Italia of the season ended 0-0.
COACH MASSIMILIANO CANZI'S COMMENTS
“Today was the tenth game in a month for us. The girls arrived a little tired, as was normal, but they showed great compactness. In the first half we tried to push as hard as we could, but we couldn't find the goal. In the second half we struggled a bit more, but in the end I think a draw is a fair result."
LISA BOATTIN'S THOUGHTS
“Today's draw was a tricky game for us, but we knew that coming to play at Inter would not be easy. We faced a very organised team. We take this point home and after the break we'll go back to work to bring home all the points we can. The week just gone was very demanding, but we are fortunate to have a deep squad with many strong players with different characteristics, so the coach can choose who to field on the basis of the physical condition of each of us and also on the basis of the opponents we are facing. As I said, it was a demanding week, but it was what we dreamed of. Last year we didn't play in the Champions League so we are just happy to play so much and especially such high-level matches. We enjoy playing every three days. Personally I feel very good. I came back after an injury that kept me off the pitch for a while, but now I'm fine and can only continue to improve day by day. Sofia (Cantore)? She is constantly developing and it shows, training after training and match after match. She's a valuable asset for us. I think she has found her balance. She's doing well and gives us a big hand. I congratulate her on 100 appearances for the club because I know how difficult it is to reach a goal like that.”
INTER 0-0 JUVENTUS WOMEN
Arena Civica Gianni Brera, Sunday 20 October, 2024 at 12:00 (CEST)
Inter: Runarsdottir, Bowen, Milinkovic, Andres, Junge-Pedersen (59’ Karchouni), Diaz (46’ Bartoli), Merlo, Magull, Tomaselli (76’ Detruyer), Cambiaghi (80’ Bugeja), Serturini (59’ Wullaert).
Unused Substitutes: Santi, Pavan, Polli, Piazza, Robustellini, Fordos, Baldi.
Coach: Gianpiero Piovani.
Juventus: Peyraud Magnin, Lenzini, Calligaris, Cascarino, Boattin (76’ Thomas), Bennison, Caruso, Bergamaschi (62’ Krumbiegel), Cantore (85’ Lehmann), Girelli (76’ Vangsgaard), Bonansea (62’ Beccari).
Unused Substitutes: Kullberg, Schatzer, Rosucci, Bragonzi, Pelgander, Capelletti, Proulx.
Coach: Massimiliano Canzi.
Referee: Grasso
Assistants: Franco, Tomasi
Bookings: 38’ Cantore (J)
Next Match:
Napoli-Juventus Women
Sunday, 3 November, 2024 at 12:30 (CEST)
Stadio Giuseppe Piccolo
