Bianconere fall at home to Fiorentina | OneFootball

Juventus Women fell to their second defeat of the Serie A season on Saturday - which was Matchday 21 of the season overall - as Fiorentina left Biella with the points and a 2-0 win on what was the third matchday of the Poule Scudetto.

THE MATCH

Things got off to a tough start for the Bianconere. Pauline Peyraud-Magnin managed to keep out a Filippa Curmark very early on, but a few minutes later - before seven were playd - Veronica Boquete gave the Viola the lead.

Juventus looked to hit back, but Lindsey Thomas' shot was blocked after having been set up by Sofia Cantore. Cristiana Girelli then tried her luck from a long-range free-kick, but Cecilie Fiskerstrand was able to deal with it without much fuss.

The Fiorentina goalkeeper continued to be in firm control of her area as time ticked on, and the Viola went in one goal to the good at the break.

Coach Massimiliano Canzi turned to his bench early in the second half, with Amalie Vangsgaard introduced, and Emma Kullberg came close to a leveller on 50 minutes but headed over the crossbar. Cantore then had the Bianconere's best chance a few moments later, doing well to find space in the area before being denied well by Fiskerstrand.

With the hosts pushing to equalise, Boquete struck again for Fiorentina with a well-executed free-kick that caught Peyraud-Magnin by surprise.

From there, the visitors stood firm and managed to keep the Bianconere at bay.

POST-MATCH COMMENTS

MASSIMILIANO CANZI

“We didn’t play well in the first half and we weren’t at our best in the second either. We conceded right at the start before we’d even settled on the pitch, going 1-0 down only a few minutes in.

"In the second half we were better, but it wasn't enough to change the course of the game. We’re coming to the end of the season and, inevitably, the team is tired, a consequence of such a long year. The girls who didn’t perform well today are the ones who have brought us this far, where we have just a few games left and a few points in hand over the teams chasing us. It’s our second defeat in a year in Serie A.

"It’s hard to stomach because we can see the finish line in sight and that make this harder to take, but if we try to analyse it clearly, we just have to try to get our energy back and hold firm because we’ve made it this far together.

"When you lose you want to play again immediately to make up for it, so the break is a bit annoying, but at the same time it will give us a few extra days to work, rest and allow other players to get their fitness back.”

MARTINA ROSUCCI

“We’ll have time to work with humility, because today we weren’t up to wearing this shirt. We’ve got no excuses; there are no injuries and there is no fatigue.

"We’ve had two chances to extend our lead at the top of the table and we haven’t taken advantage of them. Now, we have to get back to work stronger because everything is still in our hands. We know what we have to do and after these slips we know what we have to avoid doing as well. Today we lacked spirit, we weren’t focused or cynical enough. In a game like that there are lots of things that don’t work, despite everyone’s commitment.

"Over the course of a long season there are moments like that. Luckily, we’ve built up such an advantage that we can manage when our level drops or we don’t come away with anything.

"Personally, I'd like to play another game tomorrow to make up for it. It's not a matter of rest, but when you play games like that you want to get right back out on the pitch to put things right as soon as possible.”

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