Reigning Coppa Italia champions Juventus dispatched Inter Milan 2-1 to progress to the finals of the Coppa Italia at the Juventus Training Centre Vinovo on Saturday afternoon.
Former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir opened the account for the Bianconere in the second minute of the first half with an assist from defender Martina Lenzini and the hostesses would take their lead into the break.
Rita Guarino’s side made a 69th minute double substitution bringing on midfielders Ghoutia Karchouni and Irene Santi for midfielders Marta Pandini and Mana Mihashi respectively before Joe Montemurro’s side brought on midfielder Arianna Caruso for defender Martina Lenzini just two minutes later.
Inter midfielder Flaminia Simonetti was substituted for Camroonian striker Ajara Nchout Njoya 11 minutes before time with Juventus replacing defender Sara Gama with forward Sofia Cantore two minutes later.
It was Inter who went on to score through Malawian forward Tabitha Chawinga seven minutes from time and the match was destined for extra-time.
Former Bayern Munich forward Lineth Beerensteyn snatched the winner for the hostesses on 100 minutes to secure a place for them in the finals. Juventus will now meet Alessandro Spugna’s AS Roma in the finals after the latter beat AC Milan 3-1 in the other semi-final to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Line-Ups: JUVENTUS (4-3-3): 16 Peyraud Magnin; 3 Gama, 71 Lenzini, 32 Sembrant, 23 Salvai; 2 Pedersen, 77 Gunnarsdottir; 11 Bonansea, 15 Grosso, 18 Beerensteyn; 10 Girelli.
Substitutes: 1 Aprile, 38 Forcinella, 6 Nystrom, 9 Cantore, 20 Simon, 21 Caruso, 27 Schatzer, 29 Pfattner, 33 Duljan. Coach: Joseph Montemurro.
INTER (3-4-3): 12 Piazza; 3 Van der Gragt, 19 Alborghetti, 17 Fördős; 25 Thøgersen, 34 Mihashi, 20 Simonetti, 13 Merlo; 11 Chawinga, 9 Polli, 18 Pandini.
Substitutes: 1 Gilardi, 5 Karchouni, 6 Santi, 7 Marinelli, 27 Csiszar, 29 Kristjánsdóttir, 31 Lång, 33 Ajara, 35 Calegari. Coach: Rita Guarino.
