Three goals against Napoli. Three goals against BK Häcken. Now Juventus Women head to Milan as the early stages of their season begin to take on a rather ominous rhythm.
Juventus Women travel to the PUMA House of Football to face AC Milan on Sunday, 4 October, in their second Serie A Women match of the season, just four days after returning from Sweden with a statement 3-0 victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
For anyone searching for the latest Juventus Women match today, the story surrounding Isaac Guerrero’s side is increasingly about how effectively they are moving between competitions.
Last weekend brought a 3-1 victory over Napoli in their Serie A opener. Then came Häcken and another three goals, this time without reply. Now Milan represent the next examination of whether the Bianconeri can keep rolling through a demanding schedule.
Juventus Women Champions League win adds another layer
Juventus’ victory in Gothenburg was not quite as straightforward as the final score suggests.
Häcken caused problems during the first half, and the teams went into the interval goalless. Juventus, however, stayed patient before Tatiana Pinto finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute.
Emma Stølen Godø made it 2-0 with a header from Eva Schatzer’s delivery before Alba Redondo completed the victory in the 88th minute.
Pinto’s opener was particularly significant, becoming the 100th Juventus Women goal in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. The 3-0 victory also gave the Bianconeri their sixth clean sheet across all competitions this season.
More importantly, ahead of the trip to Milan, Juventus showed they can survive difficult periods without letting a match slip away.
Guerrero has spoken about wanting his side to combine initiative with the ability to suffer when necessary. That was visible against Häcken. Juventus were not completely dominant for 90 minutes, but when the opportunity arrived, they became increasingly ruthless.
That could be particularly relevant against Milan.
From Napoli to Häcken to Milan
The previous two Juventus Women’s team matches have also highlighted the depth of attacking options available to Guerrero.
Four days later, Redondo and Godø were on the scoresheet again.
That gives Milan several problems to solve simultaneously.
Redondo has become an increasingly important figure among the Juventus Women team players, capable of threatening the space behind a defence while also contributing during more patient attacking sequences. Godø, meanwhile, has scored in consecutive matches through precisely the sort of late movement from midfield that can be difficult to track.
Then there is Pinto.
Her ability to move between deeper areas and advanced positions was particularly important against Häcken, with Guerrero highlighting the Portuguese midfielder’s capacity both to participate in the build-up and attack spaces behind the opposition defence.
Milan cannot simply identify one obvious source of danger and shut it down.
Milan have already seen this movie
Another uncomfortable element for the Rossoneri: they have already played Juventus this season.
The teams met in the Serie A Women’s Cup on 6 September, with Milan arguably playing more threatening football for long stretches.
Thea Kyvåg, Kanutte and Sara Stokić all caused Juventus problems, but goalkeeper Lysianne Rusek repeatedly kept Milan out. Then, in the 78th minute, Juventus did what Juventus tend to do.
Milan committed players forward from a corner, Juventus broke, and Sofia Cantore Capeta scored the only goal of the game. Milan had created plenty, but Juventus left with the victory.
That result feels even more relevant after Milan’s Serie A opener.
Suzanne Bakker’s team lost 4-1 against Como 1907 despite producing a much more competitive second half. Christy Grimshaw reduced the deficit to 2-1 after 69 minutes, and Milan pushed aggressively for an equaliser, only to concede twice in stoppage time as their increasingly adventurous shape left space behind.
Against this Juventus Women soccer team, that is dangerous territory.
Can Milan’s aggression hurt Juventus?
The intriguing part is that Milan have shown enough to suggest they can make Sunday uncomfortable.
Bakker wants an aggressive side capable of pressing high, winning back possession, and attacking through wide areas. Kyvåg is the most obvious individual threat, while Grimshaw brings midfield energy and late movement into the penalty area.
The possible availability of Abi Brighton adds another subplot. The American midfielder recently moved from Juventus to Milan on loan after making 40 appearances and winning five trophies in Turin.
If involved, Brighton could provide some useful familiarity with Juventus’ midfield rotations.
But Milan’s bravery comes with risk.
The Rossoneri want their full-backs and midfielders involved higher up the pitch. If that first wave of pressure is beaten, space can appear quickly. Como exploited it, and Juventus have the players to do considerably more damage.
The previous meeting demonstrated exactly that. Milan created opportunities; Juventus waited; one transition changed everything.
Juventus are becoming difficult to contain
A growing sense of continuity is also emerging in Juventus’ attack.
Redondo has scored against Napoli, Benfica and Häcken during this early stretch of the campaign. Godø has struck in consecutive victories against Napoli and Häcken. Pinto followed her influential performances in Europe by scoring the landmark 100th Juventus UWCL goal in Sweden.
Behind them, Schatzer offers control and distribution, while Cecilia Salvai remains an experienced defensive anchor. Against Häcken, Salvai earned the UEFA Player of the Match award.
This Juventus squad’s strength is therefore becoming less about one superstar and more about the different ways Guerrero can construct a winning performance.
Against Napoli, they recovered from conceding first.
Against Häcken, they survived a difficult opening half before taking control.
Against Milan, another test awaits.
AC Milan vs Juventus Women: another test of the gap
For Milan, this is an immediate opportunity to change the mood after the 4-1 defeat against Como. Their performance in the previous meeting with Juventus showed that the gap between the teams doesn’t necessarily show up in 90 minutes of domination.
The problem is what happens in the decisive moments.
Juventus have become very good at owning those moments.
They have started their Serie A season with a 3-1 victory and followed it with a 3-0 Juventus Women Champions League win away from home. Six goals, two victories and two very different demonstrations of control.
Milan now have to find a way of disrupting that momentum without giving Juventus exactly what they want.
Press too cautiously, and Pinto, Schatzer and company can dictate possession. Push too aggressively and Redondo, Godø and Juventus’ wide runners suddenly have grass to attack.
For a Milan side searching for its first league points, that is a nasty little tactical puzzle.
For Juventus, it is the next opportunity to show that victories over Napoli and Häcken were not isolated results, but the beginnings of something considerably more substantial.
