Arsenal vs. Juventus: With a 1-0 victory over Juventus on Wednesday night at the Emirates, Arsenal moved closer to a spot in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.
Arsenal came out on top with a goal from Vivianne Miedema in the first half. Two weeks earlier in Turin, Arsenal was upset after being held to a 1-1 draw despite dominating for long stretches.
The result puts Arsenal atop Group C with two games remaining.
Arianna Caruso’s close-range effort forced Manuela Zinsberger to make a spectacular save with her feet as the opening goal-scoring opportunity of the match for Juventus.
Then it was Pauline Peyraud Magnin’s time to be called into action, the Juventus goalkeeper sprinting off her goal line to deny Caitlin Foord from scoring after being set up by Laura Wienroither.
Stina Blackstenius had the ball in the back of the goal but was rightfully ruled offside; yet, this served as a warning for Juventus, as the Gunners seized the lead 16 minutes later.
Leah Williamson put Blackstenius beyond the Juventus defense, and the Swedish attacker found Miedema at the far post, who brilliantly sent a side-footed volley into the top corner.
Having played second-best for the first 45 minutes, Juventus increased their effort in the second half without generating clear-cut opportunities. Peyraud Magnin stopped a near-post shot from Foord, and replacement Valentina Cernoia’s curling free kick sailed barely wide as the Gunners inched closer to victory.
Arsenal (4-3-3) (4-3-3)
Manuela Zinsberger, the goalkeeper, earned a score of 6/10 for making a spectacular save with her feet to deny Caruso and prevent Juventus from grabbing an early lead.
RB: Lauren Wienroither – 8/10 – Nearly sent Foord through on goal in the first half with a superb pass. Heavily engaged both offensively and defensively.
7/10 for Leah Williamson For Arsenal’s opening goal, she put Blackstenius beyond the defense with a beautiful pass in her first start since September. Strong in possession and good defensively, the player was substituted after one hour.
CB: Lotte Wubben-Moy – 7/10 – Strong and consistent, excellent distribution.
7/10 for Steph Catley at LB. Juventus had a scoring opportunity early on along Arsenal’s left flank, but Arsenal kept Bonansea quiet and connected up brilliantly with Foord.
CM: Lia Walti – 7/10 – Tidy in possession and defended the back four well.
CM: Frida Maanum – 6/10 – Smart in possession without ever being able to wreak havoc with one of her signature, explosive runs as she has so often in previous months.
CM: Vivianne Miedema – 8/10 – Vivianne Miedema opened the score with a spectacular side-foot volley after drifting unmarked to the back post. Was Arsenal’s main point, with the Gunners usually playing through her and Miedema gleefully slicing through the Juventus backline with various through balls.
RW: Katie McCabe – 6/10 – After a stint at fullback, she kept her position at a more advanced position. The most reticent of Arsenal’s front three while being the most active.
ST: Stina Blackstenius – 6/10 – Before finding Miedema at the back post for Arsenal’s first goal, he had a goal disallowed for offside. Replaced with 11 remaining.
LW: Caitlin Foord – 7/10 – In the second half, she tested Peyraud Magnin with a near-post shot and posed a persistent threat by pressing the Juventus defense.
Juventus (4-3-3) (4-3-3)
GK: Pauline Peyraud Magnin – 7/10 – In the first half, he moved swiftly and courageously to beat Foord to the ball and deny the Arsenal striker an almost specific opening goal. In the second half, he saved effectively from Foord once again.
RB: Martina Lenzini – 6/10 – Defeated several times by the vivacious Foord.
CB: Cecilia Salvai – 6/10 – In the middle of the action in the first half, as Juventus struggled to repel Arsenal’s wave after wave of assault, he retreated to the background in the second half.
Sembrant and Salvai are questioned about who lost sight of Blackstenius in the buildup to the Arsenal goal: Sembrant or Salvai.
LB: Lisa Boattin – 7/10 – Produced an outstanding recovery run and block to thwart Blackstenius in the first half, exemplifying an excellent defensive performance.
CM: Sofie Junge Pedersen – 6/10 – Effective in possession without lighting up the game. Arsenal’s winner wasn’t near enough to Miedema.
CM: Julia Grosso – 7/10 – Lively, vivacious, and well-kept.
CM: Arianna Caruso – 6/10 – Almost opened the score after strongly contributing to the buildup, but her shot was beautifully saved. Substituted in the second half
RW: Barbara Bonansea – 4/10 – Catley mostly kept her quiet and substituted her at halftime.
ST: Cristiana Girelli – 5/10 – Williamson, Wubben-Moy, and Rafaelle rendered these players primarily ineffective.
LW: Lineth Beerensteyn – 5/10 – The Juventus danger was mainly neutralized, as they could not wreak havoc on the Arsenal backline, notably against the excellent Wienroither.
Vivianne Miedema was the match’s MVP (Arsenal)
