Over in Italy this weekend Juventus were up to their old tricks and securing more silverware when the exceptional, and in my opinion underrated, Barbara Bonansea scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Fiorentina in the Supercoppa.
It was the third season in a row that the pair have faced off, both sides having finished victorious once each, so this was the best of three if you will. The Italian league did not finish last season because of coronavirus but Juve were declared champions for the third consecutive season.
Juve began the game on the front foot, with the first real chance coming after 15 minutes as Lina Hurtig caused problem’s down the left-hand side, putting in a very dangerous ball into the box that the defence managed to scramble clear.
It was Hurtig again looking dangerous, the Swede half volley from a Barbara Bonansea’s header was pushed wide by keeper, Katja Schroffenegger.
Cristiana Girelli later found herself in on goal and her powerful shot from a tight angle on the right hand side was blocked by Schroffenegger.
Schroffenegger was being kept on her toes as she was denied Sara Gama.
Soon after, Fiorentina’s Fredderikke Thøgersen picked up the ball in her own half and dribbled through three Juve players then finding Daniela Sabatino in space, but the number nine took the shot early and the tame shot was easily collected by the Juve keeper, Laura Giuliani.
Eventually the pressure told and Juve got their breakthrough five minutes before half-time, Bonansea went on a dazzling dribble which left Michela Catena for dead before firing low into the corner from just inside the box. The ball did bobble in front of Schroffenegger but she’ll have been disappointed not to have prevented the goal.
This is how it remained going into half time.
Ten minutes into the second half Bonansea bagged her brace with a volley after a Fiorentina clearance fell perfectly to her.
On the hour Fiorentina had their first real chance of the game. Martina Zanoli sent Tatiana Bonetti free on the left-wing, Bonetti put in a first-time cross which found Valery Vigilucci unmarked, but the forward’s header was gathered by Giuliani.
Juve looked to have secured the win with a third goal when a brilliant strike from Lisa Boattin but crashed against the crossbar!
The game finished with a deserved win to Rita Guarino’s team, securing a second Italian Super Cup for Juventus.
“Beyond our expanding trophy cabinet it’s important to see the team grow,” said Rita Guarino, who has coached the team since it was formed in 2017. “In the semi-final against Roma we had a performance way below our qualities. I asked the girls to raise their level and today they fulfilled my wish in full.”
After the game Republic of Ireland international and Fiorentina defender, Lucy Quinn said, “Not our day in the Supercoppa final today but loving seeing this team grow! It hasn’t been easy for us but we’re starting to reach the potential we have.”
