Thank you so much for joining me for this Women’s Champions League match! Arsenal will rue the chances they failed to take in the first half Beerensteyn got Juventus off the mark in the second. But Miedema equalised to ensure they remain top of the group. For all the action have a read of Sophie Downey’s report below. Our Women’s Champions League coverage will continue on 7 December with Arsenal hosting Juventus. See you then!
The other match which kicked off at 8pm GMT was between Benfica and Rosengard. The Spanish side earned themselves a 1-0 win. Earlier today Barcelona beat Bayern Munich 3-0 and Lyon defeated Zurich by the same goal line.
The result means Arsenal remains top of Group C, they were temporarily dethroned in the ten minutes Juventus were ahead but the equaliser put them back on top.
Beerensteyn, who was a menace all evening, was the one to open the scoring in this close contest. Have a look at the goal:
Lineth Beerensteyn gives Juventus the lead over Arsenal ⚪️⚫️ #UWCL LIVE NOW ⬇️
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 24, 2022
🇬🇧 🎙 👉 https://t.co/e6ycWm3kki
🇮🇹 🎙 👉 https://t.co/8LPCW6nR3x pic.twitter.com/b1hpQot6jN
Just to take a look at the shots, each team had a similar amount but Arsenal had more promising chances. Arsenal had 18 attempts with four on target and Juventus had 11 shots with two on target. Peyraud-Magnin had a great evening to deny Arsenal the full three points.
Here is Miedema’s equaliser, her first goal in seven games – please do correct me if I am wrong on that stat.
Vivianne Miedema LEVELS it for Arsenal 🔴⚪️#UWCL LIVE NOW ⬇️
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) November 24, 2022
🇬🇧 🎙 👉 https://t.co/e6ycWm3kki
🇮🇹 🎙 👉 https://t.co/8LPCW6nR3x pic.twitter.com/BlOootKoG2
Full-time: Juventus 1-1 Arsenal
After all of Arsenal’s chances it was Juventus who opened the scoring through Beerensteyn but the visitors were quick to reply with Miedema heading in from a corner.
90 + 6 min: Oh my word Miedema found Foord in a great position. It was a one-on-one for the Australian but it’s a great call from Peyraud-Magnin to come out and challenge her. What an intervention but the keeper looks injured from it, there’s a break in play. Beerensteyn is also off with Juventus make another change.
90 + 4 min: Girelli gets the ball to Beerensteyn who gets a shot away. It’s deflected and Zinsberger collects. She releases her team quickly as both sides try and find a winner here. Possession exchanges hands and Arsenal again are on the hunt! It is breathless.
90 + 2 min: Catley tries to find a teammate but it is Rosucci again who manages to take it away from Arsenal. Confirmation it was Walti who got a yellow, I think it was for dissent.
90 min: Miedema and McCabe exchange some nice passes but the resulting chance from Miedema sails over the bar. Beerensteyn looks to counter but she is judged offside, I expect there to be quite a bit of added time here. McCabe or Walti has been booked but the stream has not made it clear which, I’ll update you when I can. There will be five minutes added.
90 min: Foord puts in a great cross but Rosucci heads away, a great defensive move there! Catley gives away a free kick and Juventus will have to find a winner from deep. They fire it upfield but they lose it and Arsenal are on the counter!
88 min: Catley wins a free kick from deep in their own half after Beerensteyn fouls, the Juventus star needs to be careful after picking up the yellow. Arsenal are building from deep, they do get it in the box but Blackstenius can’t get it out from under her feet.
86 min: Maanum takes it but Girelli heads away and Juventus are on the counter. Beerensteyn collects a great ball to win a throw. Foord wins it back with Lenzini putting in a foul, though some may judge the Arsenal player at fault there.
Updated
84 min: They take it quickly but get it in the box, Beattie looks as though she has conceded a corner but Juventus are ruked offside. The hosts make changes as Bonansea and Caruso are off for Cantore and Bonfantini.arsenal win a free kick with McCabe challenged by Beerensteyn and it earns the Juventus player a yellow.
82 min: Beerensteyn gets the ball in but Beattie heads away. Arsenal get it upfield and Blackstenius does really well to get away from Grosso but her pass to Maanum isn;t gathered. Girelli wins a free kick on halfway thanks to a foul from Foord.
80 min: Wienroither is coming off but she was able to walk off by herself which is a good sign. Maritz is on in her place.
79 min: On the replay it looks as though she has been elbowed in the head. Wienroither is getting a lot of attention, hopefully she is okay here.
77 min: McCabe gives away a cheap free kick with a horrible challenge on Grosso. They take it short and run it to halfway but it is thundered into the box. Wienroither has been hit in the face in the defence and we have another break in play.
75 min: Bonansea can’t believe a free kick has gone Arsenal’s way as the visitors go on the attack. Miedema gets a shot away and she is inches from an absolute screamer!
73 min: There’s a great battle happening between Grosso and McCabe with the Juventus player the latest winner in the exchanges. Juventus are building here, they are searching for a winner but Miedema wins it back.
Updated
71 min: It looks as though it is her ankle they are looking at here, she is okay to continue though. Miedema is right back in the action but her pass has too much on it to find McCabe.
69 min: It comes in but headed away, Grosso loses out in the fight for the loose ball with Foord. Miedema is down which will be a worry for Arsenal.
67 min: Salvai is okay to continue here, surprising with that smack to the head. Juventus do have a free kick from that foul, they take it short and it’s slightly wasted as they are forced back to halfway. They do eventually win a corner though and Caruso will be the taker.
65 min: Blackstenius receives a yellow card for a high challenge on Salvai. The Juventus player needs some attention here so there is a break in play. Blackstenius apologised as soon as it happened. On the replay Blackstenius has kicked her in the head, aiming for the ball though. Arsenal take the break to make their first change as Nobbs is off for Beattie.
63 min: What a response! Their first proper chance since conceding and of course it is Miedema who equalises. It is her first goal in seven matches which is unheard of for the striker, she will be happy to be back on the scoresheet. But here we are, Juventus are replying! Grosso gets a shot but it just sails over the bar, what a match!
GOAL! Juventus 1-1 Arsenal (Miedema, 61')
Maanum is the taker this time and Miedema heads home!
Updated
61 min: Girelli takes a punt from almost halfway but it’s wide. Arsenal peel away through Nobbs and Blackstenius has it in the box but Rosucci concedes a corner.
59 min: While Beerensteyn receives treatment, Eidevall has called all of his players over for a pep talk. The goal scorer is back up and is staying on here.
58 min: Bonansea has a lovely connection and footwork, she gets a cross into Beerensteyn but it has too much on it. Boattin takes a shot but it’s blocked. The goal has been a momentum swing and Arsenal will have to strike soon to quell it. There’s a slight break in play as Beerensteyn is down.
56 min: Arsenal lost their first match of the season last weekend to Manchester United and they are heading to another loss here. If they do lose this one they will be knocked off the top of the group with Juventus leapfrogging them. They are oozing with confidence now with Caruso taking a shot but it goes wide.
54 min: Beerensteyn has been the attacking threat for the hosts and my, oh my she took her chance with both hands there! And could she double their lead here? No, she is ruled offside. But that goal will have given Juventus a lot of confidence.
52 min: Juventus counter and Beerensteyn is unlocked, she finds herself in a one-on-one with Zinberger and she slots it in the bottom left corner. For all the Arsenal chances they are behind!
GOAL! Juventus 1-0 Arsenal (Beerensteyn, 51')
Oh wow!
Updated
51 min: Nobbs puts in a great cross, Foord chests it to the floor but she is denied at the near post! An Arsenal corner to come, Catley puts it in but Peyraud-Magnin punches away for another corner. Catley the taker once again and Wubben-Moy heads towards goal but it is cleared off the line! So close!
49 min: Juventus are sloppy from a throw but Blackstenius gives it away. Girelli tries to find Beerensteyn but the pass has too much on it and Zinsberger is able to collect. A yellow card come to Pedersen for a challenge on Walti who is down here. She looks a bit weak on her foot but she is able to continue.
47 min: It’s a bright start from Juventus as Beerensteyn gets it in the box but McCabe does enough to thwart the attack.
Back underway! Juventus 0-0 Arsenal
The second 45 is underway! Will we see some goals or will it stay in a deadlock? We’ll soon find out …
I’m anticipating some Arsenal goals this half, what do you think? Let me know via Twitter and email.
The WSL match has ended 3-3! The point for each team means their table position has not changed with Liverpool still 10th and Reading in 11th. It has taken Reading to four points ahead of bottom Leicester City though, which could be important later in the season.
There is also a Women’s Super League match taking place this evening, a postponed fixture between Liverpool and Reading. It has been a thriller! The game is in its closing stages and it is currently 3-3. Both will be keen to get the result as they are towards the bottom of the table.
Updated
In the other match happening right now in the tournament Benfica are 1-0 up over Rosengard. Lacasse was the scorer in that one.
Half-time: Juventus 0-0 Arsenal
Caruso had a great chance just before the break but it goes wide. It has been the Arsenal show with Blackstenius missing three great chances but Juventus have displayed promise on the counter-attack. The hosts have also soaked up a lot of pressure and they will be happy to keep them out.
45 min: There will be one added minute.
45 min: McCabe and Salvai get a talking to ahead of the corner take for some shoving in the box. The kick comes in but Blackstenius heads away and then Pedersen fouls.
44 min: Juventus are building here, the first time they’ve been on the ball for a while. Girelli gets a header in the box but it’s Zinsberger who collects. Beerensteyn is found in a great position with McCabe unable to close down the chance. Walti sends it out for a corner, great play from Juventus there.
42 min: I’ve been watching a lot of Taskmaster lately and I’m finding myself narrating the match in the style of the show in my head. For example: the most goals win, you have 90 minutes, your time started 42 minutes ago. I will stick to the usual commentary … Back to the game and Blackstenius has missed another huge chance! Foord gets a great ball across and Blackstenius is inches from tapping it in.
40 min: McCabe does well to block Grosso and Arsenal counter, Blackstenius is in a great position and finds herself in a one-on-one position with Peyraud-Magnin but it’s a huge save from the keeper to deny her!
38 min: Foord wins a free kick for a soft foul, this match is high pace but the good defence by both sides are just stalling the attacks so far.
Updated
36 min: Blackstenius and Foord don’t quite click in the box to rue another chance. Here they come again though and Blackstenius gets another shot but it’s blocked by Rosucci.
34 min: Arsenal are being patient on the ball but Juventus are soaking up the pressure and even forcing the visitors back to halfway. Blackstenius is on here but it rattles the woodwork! It feels like a match where once the first goal is scored they will just keep coming.
32 min: Blackstenius has a shot but it sails over the bar, that is Arsenal’s sixth chance of the match but for their lack of possession Juventus have had five. Foord fouls Lenzini and gives away possession at halfway.
30 min: Catley takes the corner but it is easily headed away. Could Juventus be on for a counter here? Beerensteyn does well to keep it away from Miedema as they build play in the midfield. Girelli gets two shots off in the box but Catley does well to block twice. The best bit of attacking play from Juventus.
28 min: Foord is challenged twice and she wins the free kick for the second foul coming from Pedersen. The Juventus star looks in pain after that one but she is okay to continue. Catley takes it and Wubben-Moy gets a head to it but Peyraud-Magnin punches it out for a corner! They are getting closer.
26 min: McCabe spots Peyraud-Magnin off her line and pelts the ball upfield to Blackstenius, the keeper reads it well to punch away though. Blackstenius does get a shot but Peyraud-Magnin does enough to keep it out. Arsenal turn up the pressure with another chance from Miedema but her shot is blocked. This game has been all Arsenal but they haven’t reaped the rewards as of yet.
24 min: Juventus have had their longest time on the ball here and Beerensteyn gets it to the edge of the box. She attempts a cross but it’s closed down for a goal kick.
22 min: Arsenal remain around the area from the set piece but they can’t quite get the last hit clinical enough. Juventus do win it back but it’s loose from the defenders and Blackstenius almost pounces!
20 min: Maanum wins Arsenal another corner after some good defending once again from Boattin. Catley takes again but the ball is hit out by Girelli for another corner. It’s sent in again and Peyraud-Magnin punches away.
18 min: Arsenal are with the ball and they are playing possession based football as they run it through the team. Juventus’ press are stopping them from unlocking their attack at the moment.
Updated
16 min: Foord gives away possession with a foul on Lenzini and they are building from deep. Walti gives away a free kick with a brutal foul on Caruso, still the hosts are only at halfway. They manage to get it up to the box but Caruso’s ball to Girelli doesn’t connect.
14 min: Miedema crosses it in trying to find Nobbs but Boattin heads it out for a corner. Mead has been the taker from set piece but with her injured it’s Catley who takes the kick, it bundles around the box and the hosts deal with it. But Nobbs crosses in the rebound and Peyraud-Magnin confidently collects. Arsenal are then sloppy at the back but Beerensteyn can’t pull the trigger fast enough and Arsenal deal with the threat.
12 min: Arsenal break through Miedema but Salvai defends well to thwart the chance. I think you would describe this match as a slow burner.
10 min: Beerensteyn crosses it in trying to find Bonansea but the player fouls McCabe to end the chance. But Maanum then gives away a free kick in a scorable position for Juventus. Caruso takes the kick but it is straight to Zinsberger who collects.
8 min: Foord makes a good run, getting the ball in the box but Juventus manage to clear it. Arsenal remain with it though and Miedema takes a long range shot but it is blocked. It is all Arsenal at the moment. A rare bit of sloppiness from Maanum though has the hosts in a good position.
6 min: Maanum takes the kick but it doesn’t find a teammate and Peyraud-Magnin collects. Juventus are yet to even put a bit of possession together with Arsenal wrestling the ball back again.
4 min: Miedema gets the ball to Nobbs who passes to Maanum but her shot is off target. Juventus don’t get the ball away cleanly and then Miedema wins a free kick in a good position.
2 min: It’s a slow start from Arsenal who were trying to be patient on the ball but a sloppy ball from Zinsberger rolls out. Possession exchanges hands and it is the visitors with the ball.
Updated
Kick-off! Juventus 0-0 Arsenal
Here we go then! Both sides are unbeaten but will that stay the same after tonight?
The players are out on the pitch and action will start soon. I am so excited for this one to get underway!
Yes of course I am going to include some snack chat before the players head out to the pitch. I am yet to choose my snack of choice, I have the option of pringles or smarties and I cannot choose! What have you gone for? Let me know via email or Twitter.
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has spoken about how Mead’s presence will be filled within the team. He said: “The responsibility in a team is always shared, the team will always have an output. It is obviously on me to create that output as best as possible.”
There were two other matches played earlier today. Barcelona hosted Bayern Munich at Camp Nou and Barca were victorious in a 3-0 result. Lyon and Zurich, the two other teams in Group C, also competed with the defending champions winning 3-0. Benfica and Rosengard kick-off at the same team as Juventus v Arsenal and I’ll keep you up to date on that score as best I can.
The third round of the Women’s Champions League group stage got underway yesterday and among the matches was Chelsea v Real Madrid. It was the first time the two has ever played one another and the Blues came out 2-0 victors. Catch up with all the action here:
Please do get in touch and let me know your thoughts on tonight’s match, how your day has been or anything in between! You can reach me on email or Twitter.
Montemurro also spoke specifically about meeting with Arsenal and said: “It’ll be a pleasure for me to face Arsenal. I spent four wonderful years in London, bonding with many people, and it will be wonderful to meet them again.”
There will be another reunion apart from Hurtig seeing former teammates as Juventus manager Joe Montemurro previously coaches Arsenal. He won the Women’s Super League with the team and has spoken on his sadness at Mead’s injury. “I know Beth will come back stronger, I know Beth will be chomping at the bit to get back and work hard. I can only wish her all the best because she deserves the best, as a person and as a friend. We grew together and joined the club at similar times and had four fabulous years together so I can only wish her all the best, she will come back stronger, no doubt.”
Lina Hurtig, though injured and not on the team sheet this evening, will have been helpful to her side in the build-up to the game. She signed for Arsenal from Juventus in the summer and she will have insights into the club. Will they help? We will soon find out …
Juventus have made four changes to their starting squad from their 2-1 win over Parma on Saturday. Peyraud-Magnin, Salvai, Grosso and Bonansea come in and Sara Bjork Gunnardsottir is not involved in the squad due to a thigh injury.
Juventus starting XI: Peyraud-Magnin, Lenzini, Rosucci, Salvai, Boattin, Caruso, Pedersen, Grosso, Bonansea, Girelli, Beerensteyn
📝✨ 𝕁𝕌𝕍𝔼ℕ𝕋𝕌𝕊 𝕏𝕀! ⚪️⚫️#JuveArsenal pic.twitter.com/Dg65crLew7
— Juventus Women (@JuventusFCWomen) November 24, 2022
Arsenal have made one change to their starting 11 from their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United. Vivianne Miedema comes in for the injured Beth Mead.
Arsenal starting XI: Zinsberger, Wienroither, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe, Walti, Maanum, Miedema, Nobbs, Foord, Blackstenius
Juventus team news is also out so stay tuned!
THE ARSENAL XI 🖤 pic.twitter.com/HCHqVg952N
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) November 24, 2022
Preamble
Good evening and welcome back to our coverage of the Women’s Champions League. Tonight Arsenal travel to Juventus to attempt to keep their unbeaten run in the competition on track.
The Gunners have so far defeated Lyon 5-1 and Zurich 3-1 to top Group C. They are trailed by Juventus by two points after they registered a 1-1 draw with Lyon and a 2-0 win over Zurich. A win over Arsenal this evening would see the Italian club top the group.
Arsenal’s biggest worry tonight will come in the form of injuries. We have had conformation that star forward Beth Mead has torn her ACL and will be out for months. She adds to the list of injuries at the club including Leah Williamson and Rafaelle Souza.
Let’s take a look at who Jonas Eidevall has called upon for tonight’s match. The team news is out ahead of kick-off at 8pm GMT.
