Bianconere sign off for the season with a win at Sassuolo | OneFootball

Juventus Women signed off for the 2023/24 Serie A season in perfect style, claiming a 3-2 win away at Sassuolo on Saturday to close out the Poule Scudetto.

It was a day shaped by the brilliance of both Joe Echegini and Arianna Caruso, each grabbing goals and assists for themselves. Cristiana Girelli got the Bianconere’s other goal.

THE MATCH

The first half started relatively slowly from both sides, perhaps impacted by the on-pitch temperature in the sunlight. But one player always looked likely to make her presence felt and it was Joe Echegini. Our Nigeria international had the first real attempt of the game, dragging wide from outside the box, and it was no surprise when the first goal came from her right foot.

Arianna Caruso did well to break through in midfield before letting Barbara Bonansea take things forward. Bonansea looked to put Paulina Nystrom through but the ball was played just behind the forward, who did well to improvise and stick out a leg to flick the ball into Joe’s path. When in on goal, there was no doubting that she would finish for her 10th Serie A goal despite just joining Juventus in January.

Joe was again key to the second as she provided the assist, though most of the credit has to go to Caru. Slipped in on the right but with plenty to do, Ari, fired a fierce strike across Solene Durand’s goal that the French goalkeeper could do little to stop.

The second half began with some Bianconere changes, as Gloria Sliskovic and Federica Cafferata replaced Viola Calligaris and Lisa Boattin at the back. But a home change saw Sassuolo pull a goal back when Loreta Kullashi came on and finished off her first chance. The Neroverdi then pressed for a second and an equaliser, but the next goal came at the other end, the right end for our Bianconere.

Just off the bench herself, Cristiana Girelli was picked out perfectly by a Caru cross from deep, and she then looped a speciality header over Durand.

Annahita Zamanian again made it a one-goal game by converting a penalty just five minutes later, and again the home side were given a new lease of life and went in search of a leveller.

But there were to be no more goals, and so the season ended with a third consecutive win for the Bianconere.

Poule Scudetto | Gallery | Sassuolo-Juventus Women

JOE ECHEGINI’S POST-MATCH COMMENTS

“It was a good game, it was nice for some of the girls who haven’t played as much this season to get some minutes. We always want to learn and to get better so there’s a lot to take into next season but we’re happy with the result.

“Next season I want more [than 10 goals]. Next season I’ll have a whole season here and my goal for every season is to score at least 10, but next season I want at least 15. But it doesn’t really matter, I’m happy to help the team however I can.

“I feel good here. Going from college to professional football is definitely different and it’s challenging. For me it’s been a learning period so I haven’t been too hard on myself, I’ve gone in to training wanting to get better. I’m still learning and growing into this game so I’m happy, but I always want more from myself so I’m not completely satisfied but it’s a nice way to end the season today.”

SARA GAMA'S POST-MATCH COMMENTS

"We're pleased to have ended the season on a positive note, above all with the right spirit and belief. There's still a lot for us to work on and as we have said, it was important for us to end this season well to put the foundations in place for next season.

"I always look to help the squad, to give a hand on and off the pitch. I know that there's work to do and we'll start on the right foot in the next few months."

Sassuolo 2-3 Juventus Women

Goals: 29’Echegini (J), 36’Caruso (J), 61' Kullashi (S), 72' Girelli (J), 81' Zamanian (S)

Sassuolo: Philtens, Gram, Pondini, Sabatino (58' Kullashi), Beccari, Durand, Prugna, Orsi (70' Zamanian), Clelland (70' Monterubbiano) Poje Mihelic, Filangeri (Cap). Unused subs: Lonni, Passeri, Jane, Santoro, Kresche, Simon. Coach: Gianpiero Piovani

Juventus: Peyraud-Magnin, Gama (Cap) (59' Lenzini), Calligaris (46' Sliskovic), Cascarino, Boattin (46' Cafferata), Bonansea (73' Garbino), Pelgander, Echegini, Caruso, Nystrom, Bragonzi (59' Girelli). Unused subs: Aprile, Beerenstyen, Salvai, Gunnarsdottir. Coach: Paolo Beruatto

Referee: Gavini Simone Assistants: Taverna Matteo, Montanelli Ilario Fourth official: Scuderi Tommaso

Bookings: 38’ Gama (J), 56' Peyraud-Magnin (J), 75' Bonansea (J), 95’ Filangeri (S)