Bianconere end UWCL campaign with win over Valerenga | OneFootball

The Juventus Women's First Team finished their Women's Champions League campaign and 2024 on a positive note, claiming a 3-0 win over Valerenga in Biella on Matchday six. The goals came from Valentina Bergamaschi, Sofia Cantore and Emma Kullberg.

It was a special occasion for one Bianconera, in particular, with Barbara Bonansea becoming just the third woman to make 200 appearances for Juventus, following Arianna Caruso and Lisa Boattin.

The Bianconere started the night on the front foot, and found themselves in front early on. After a fine brace on the weekend, the first of which was assisted excellently by Chiara Beccari, Sofia Cantore turned provider in similar style for Valentina Bergamaschi. Taking possession deep in her own half, Cantore charged forward before delivering a perfect cross that Bergamaschi finished at the back post.

Chances in the first half were then relatively few and far between, as the game became an increasingly combative contest.

Amalie Vangsgaard came close early in the second half to doubling the lead, but Tove Enblom pulled off a good stop.

Ten minutes after the restart it was two, and of course Cantore got herself on the scoresheet. Picking up a loose ball a long way from goal, she spotted Enblom off her line and perfectly dispatched a lob into the back of the net.

Emma Kullberg made it three soon after. Single-handedly leading a counterattack she set Alisha Lehmann in on goal, whose shot was well saved, and Kullberg followed in to head home the rebound.

POST MATCH COMMENTS

MASSIMILIANO CANZI

“We had control of the game, aside from the last ten minutes of the first half where we didn’t play our own game as much. But we’re satisfied with the rest.

“We believe we could have done more in this European campaign, maybe not qualify, but in terms of the difference between ourselves and those who advanced, we could have had a smaller gap. It was important for us to finish well, and people who have only seen us in Europe might have a different idea of what we are, but tonight was closer to the reality than we had shown in other games.

“We have no regrets. We played our games, we didn’t pick up as much as we would have liked, but I have very little to complain to the girls about, especially regarding their commitment. Now we close this chapter and focus on the league and Italian Cup.”

SOFIA CANTORE

“The results in the other games showed us that there’s a gap, but we know we could have done better, looking beyond just the results. We know we have to work hard to reach these levels, but we’re not all that far away.

“We’re happy with tonight, we’re left with the regret of not having managed more against the other sides.

“On my goal, they made a mistake and I got control of the ball. I was told to shoot, so I shot.”

JUVENTUS WOMEN 3-0 VALERENGA

Uefa Women's Champions League – Group stage MD6 Stadio Pozzo – La Marmora, Wednesday 18 December, at 21.00

Goals: 6’ Bergamaschi (J), 56' Cantore (J), 64' Kullberg (J)

Juventus: Proulx, Kullberg, Calligaris, Boattin (77' Gallo), Thomas, Caruso (Cap), Schatzer (62' Rosucci), Bergamaschi (83' Krumbiegel), Cantore (62' Lehmann), Vangsgaard (77' Ferraresi), Bonansea. Unused subs: Girelli, Bennison, Peyraud-Magnin, Bragonzi, Beccari, Capelletti, Lenzini. Coach: Massimiliano Canzi

Valerenga: Enblom (86' Erichsen), Horte, Kovacs (68' Enger), Olsen, Lindwall, Thomsen (Cap), Vickius, Tvedten (68' Arnesen), Godo, Heidarsdottir, Saevik (77' Sesay). Unused subs: Thorsnes, Hansen. Coach: Nils Lexerod

Referee: Rivera Olmedo Olatz Assistants: Eliana Fernandez Gonzalez, Ainhoa Fernandez Fourth official: Zulema Gonzalez Ammonite: 35’pt Schatzer (J)