Juventus Women edge Fiorentina in crucial Serie A Women clash
Juventus Women secured a vital 2-1 away victory over Fiorentina on Sunday in a pivotal late-season Serie A Women fixture. Goals from Lineth Thomas and Martina Salvai ensured the Bianconere took all three points from a hard-fought contest in Florence, strengthening their position in the league table.
The match began with Fiorentina on the front foot, forcing an early save from Juventus goalkeeper Pauline Rusek. The visitors responded and took the lead in the 13th minute when Signe Vangsgaard delivered a precise cross for Thomas to head home. Juventus controlled much of the first half and created further chances, but Fiorentina leveled six minutes before the interval through Sveindís Jónsdóttir.
After the break, Fiorentina pressed for a second goal, with Rusek making another crucial stop to deny Zsanett Jakabfi. Against the run of play, Juventus found a winner in the 58th minute. A corner fell to Lia Wälti, whose long-range effort was deftly deflected into the net by Salvai. Rusek was called upon again late on to preserve the lead, tipping a dangerous effort onto the post as Juventus saw out the match.
Speaking to the club's official channels after the game, Juventus manager Joe Montemurro praised his team's resilience. Montemurro acknowledged Fiorentina's strong start but highlighted his side's desire to win the match outright. The victory comes during a tight title race and provides momentum ahead of the season's final stretch.
Goalscorer Salvai emphasized the difficulty of facing the same opponent three times in quick succession, referencing two prior wins over Fiorentina. She noted the team must now carry the same grit and winning mentality into the final five matches of the season across all competitions. The result underscores Juventus's championship credentials as they aim to close the gap on league leaders Roma.
The fixture was a replay of a previously postponed match, adding significance to the three points. With the international break now underway, Juventus will look to integrate returning players and maintain this form. The win keeps the pressure on at the top of Serie A Women, setting up a compelling finale to the campaign.
