Juventus Women managed a key Champions League match by defeating Atlético Madrid 2-1 away from home. After an unsuccessful game against Bayern Munich, coach Max Canzi’s players secured three valuable points and moved into the upper half of the group stage table.
The home side took the lead through Amaiur Sarriegi, but Juventus equalized before halftime. Emma Stølen Godø converted a free kick with a precise shot into the top corner, bringing her team back into contention. After the break, the Bianconere went ahead thanks to Barbara Bonansea, who headed in an accurate cross from Estela Carbonell.
Although Juventus had only one third of possession, they kept pace with their opponent in the number of shots. A tactically disciplined performance and efficient finishing earned the team their second victory in the new stage of the competition. The win was particularly valuable as Atlético is a direct rival in the fight for a playoff spot.
After three matches, Juventus have six points and trail the fourth place, which guarantees direct advancement to the quarterfinals, by just one point. Next week, the Italian side will face a demanding match against French club Lyon, which will be another test of their ambitions in the European competition.
The success in Madrid gave the team much-needed confidence after an inconsistent start to the Serie A season. Juventus Women once again demonstrated that despite a tough schedule, they can compete with the best European clubs and fight for a place among the elite eight.
