Juventus Women got a very important win against a strong side in Paris Saint-Germain Women in the first leg of the UEFA Womens Champions League second round, which leads to the group stage for the winners.
For Les Parisiennes, things did not go as planned for numerous reasons, and the result could have been a bit less heavy, making their comeback easier to achieve in the away leg.
Conceding three goals and scoring just one in Italy highlights a disappointing defensive performance yet an attacking one that keeps the team’s hopes for qualification alive.
It should also be said that “the team that scores more goals on aggregate over the two legs advance to the next round; if the aggregate score is level at the end of normal time of the second leg, extra time will be played, and if the same number of goals is scored by both teams at the end of normal time, the tie will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.”
This means that Paris Saint-Germain Féminine will need to score two goals and not concede any when they face Juventus in the second leg in order to decide the match by a penalty shoot-out.
If they are capable of scoring three against Juventus without conceding, that would be even more beneficial for PSG since it would allow them to avoid the risks of penalties and qualify for the group stage without much suffering.
Fabrice Abriels PSG Féminine will face Montpellier in the D1 Féminine before preparing to face Juventus in this second leg of the UWCL.
Therefore, it will be essential for them to economise their energies and focus on each game separately while considering their errors of the first leg and doing their best not to repeat them in the second one.
For Juventus, starting the season with a key European win made the overall atmosphere more conducive to progress.
The head coach, Massimiliano Canzi, did not hide his happiness, saying: this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting evenings of my career, as I did not have the luck or skill to play in the Champions League.”
This psychological aspect can mean a lot in this double encounter.
Juventus will go to Paris with more confidence than their opponents and will also play the match with far less pressure.
Nevertheless, avoiding overconfidence and preparing for the match with an adequate attitude will be essential, as PSG can be very dangerous at home.
Also, Juventus will need to overcome the Lazio away game test without losing a lot of energy in order to start planning for the PSG match, knowing that their game against Lazio can be tiring and complicated.
This tactical analysis article will focus on both teams’ formations, performances, and tactics.
The analysis will also highlight both teams’ attacking and defensive errors and study how to avoid them in the second leg.
Lineup & Formation
Juventus started this match in a 3-4-3 with Pauline Peyraud Magnin in goal, Martina Lenzini, Viola Calligaris and Estelle Cascarino as centre-backs, Valentina Bergamaschi and Paulina Krumbiegel as wing-backs, Arianna Caruso and Hanna Bennison as central midfielders.
The attacking trio consisted of Sofia Cantore and Chiara Beccari as wingers and Amalie Vangsgaard as the team’s striker.
PSG Féminine Lineup & Formation
On the other hand, PSG’s head coach, Fabrice Abriel, opted for the 4-3-3 with former Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, Élisa De Almeida, Griedge Mbock Bathy, Paulina Dudek and Tara Cynthia Hermine Elimbi Gilbert in defence.
The midfield was composed of Grace Geyoro, Thiniba Samoura, and Laurina Fazer.
At the same time, the attacking trio consisted of Romée Leuchter and Jennifer Echegini on the wings, with Marie-Antoinette Katoto as a striker.
Juventus Women Convincing Performance
Canzi’s players proved in this match that they are ready for the European challenge this season despite the changes in the squad and the integration of several new players.
In fact, it should be pointed out that the quick integration of these players was highly impactful, as names like Bergamaschi, Vansgaard, Bennison, and Krumbiegel looked confident and were already crucial in this game.
The use of Bergamaschi and Krumbiegel as wingers brought a lot of stability in terms of defence on both wings, in addition to a lot of attacking support, which resulted in concrete chances and, therefore, danger.
The perfect proof for this was the first Juventus goal action initiated by Krumbiegel.
Thanks to her intelligent dribble and through pass to Cantore, who was running towards the empty space left behind PSG’s defence, Krumbiegel launched a quick counterattack.
Afterwards, Cantore was attentive enough to spot Vansgaard’s movement towards the box and provide an excellent assist to her, which already highlights the created chemistry between the two players.
Vansgaard’s movement without the ball and her ability to run faster than her direct opponent should not go unnoticed, given that the Danish international is playing her first games with the team and is already adapting very well.
Her crucial decision-making in front of goal and her accurate finish promise a lot as Vansgaard showed to everyone that she is ready and that she deserves a chance as a starting striker.
This ability to launch quick yet efficient counterattacks has been one of Juventus’ improved aspects under Canzi so far.
It has become one of the team’s concrete attacking weapons, especially against teams that opt for constantly advancing using a high defensive block.
Juventus continued to exploit PSG’s defensive gaps throughout the match.
They were able to punish them for playing with a high defensive line and with many players staying in Juventus’ half.
The Bianconere
