Juventus FC 0 - 4 Women - Match Report

We strode to a comfortable 4-0 win away to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night under the mountains. 

Goals from Frida Maanum, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey and Caitlin Foord gave us all three points, pushing us up to second in Group C.

Renee Slegers made just one change from the side that hit five past Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday, with Daphne van Domselaar returning as goalkeeper.

Van Domselaar was called into action early, rushing to cut off a promising run from Amelie Vangsgaard at the edge of the area.

After an opening spell, our Gunners settled into the match and found an attacking rhythm. Emily Fox, Beth Mead and Frida Maanum combined well on the right flank as we explored routes through the Juventus backline.

Alessia Russo found her in a number of promising positions, both breaking the lines and during quick link-up play.

Emily Fox also came close to breaking the deadlock, sending a delicate chip towards goal only for it to be tipped away by Peyraud-Magnin.

We'd eventually find a well-deserved breakthrough a few minutes before half-time. With slick passing that typified our attacking play in the first-half, Caitlin Foord fed a perfectly weighted ball through to an onrushing Maanum and our Norwegian tapped home. 

The hosts came out for the second half with more intent but our Gunners would remain comfortably on top.

Our number two was exceptionally close to doubling our advantage, as her shot thwacked the crossbar and ricochetted back down.

Fellow Leah Williamson also had a chance to find a second after a deep delivery from Katie McCabe found Mariona Caldentey at the back post. Our Spanish substitute nodded back to Williamson, but our number six’s subsequent header went over the crossbar.

We did eventually find our second goal through Stina Blackstenius, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net after a quick run into the box.

Less than five minutes later, it was three. Mariona, who injected a new lease of life into the squad off the bench, hit an emphatic finish at the edge of the box. Our Spaniard now leads the tournament for combined goals and assists. 

We weren’t ready to sign off yet, however. After already bagging an assist, Caitlin Foord finally got a goal of her own. Our number 19 tapped home from close range, assisted by her fellow Aussie, Kyra Cooney-Cross. 

We moved into second place in Group C, behind leaders Bayern Munich.

Next up for our Gunners is a trip across north London to face rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Women's Super League. Kick-off on Saturday, 16 November is 2.45pm UK. 

Arsenal starting XI: Van Domselaar, Fox (Codina, 85), Williamson, Catley, Mead (Mariona, 60), Little (C), McCabe, Maanum (Blackstenius, 60), Walti (Cooney-Cross, 85), Foord, Russo (Hurtig, 77)

Subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Wubben-Moy, Wienroither, Reid, Kuhl, Kafaji