Canzi: We must not force things against Napoli

After the international break - the first of the 2024/25 season - the Juventus Women's First Team return to Serie A action. The Bianconere are away in Napoli on Serie A Matchday 8, with kick-off scheduled for Sunday, 3 November at 12:30 CET.

Below is what coach Massimiliano Canzi had to say ahead of the trip south to Campania.

PLAYERS RETURNING FROM NATIONAL TEAM DUTY

"The players who returned from their respective national teams are doing well. The group of girls who came back from different parts of Europe have certainly returned refreshed from having done something different to their usual club commitments, and they're ready to perform at the highest level. Whilst they may not have physically rested during this time, the change of air has done them some good. They've all came back ready to pick up from where we left off.

"As for Eva Schatzer, and her debut with Italy's senior national team, she is doing well. Those who have the good fourtune of knowing her, and being able to coach her as is my case, know that she is a serious, switched-on girl with great qualities. That said, wearing the Juventus jersey is a privilege and should not be taken for granted by any player. Eva has come from a positive experience at Sampdoria, but as I said, wearing the Juventus jersey puts a certain sense of pressure on any player. However, she seems not to have been too affected by her transition. It is clear the experience in Liguria has allowed her to develop in all respects. She played a lot and this has helped her to fit in perfectly here. She already knew the club very well during her youth; it's where she flourished and then made her name 'among the big players' last year at Sampdoria. Eva's ability to show such maturity is also, in part, thanks to [now-Napoli coach] Salvatore Mango who coached her last year and helped her to grow."

EYES ON NAPOLI

"I certainly expect a difficult game against a very organised team who are aware of their level. Napoli are very attentive without the ball, giving up very little space, so the girls will have to be patient, staying focused from start to finish. In football, games are not won by your position in the league table, but by individual performances. We know that if we do well we're a very good team, so we don't need to rush things.

"We expect a tactically challenging match and we also expect a competitive atmosphere. We know we're facing an opponent who will give their all to take points from us.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SET PIECES

"Offensively, we have very good numbers because we scored eight goals from set pieces. We have, however, also suffered a little too much. The last three goals we have conceded were from this very source and, as a result, we have focused a lot on the defensive phase and hopefully, this will be seen against Napoli. Our opponents concede little on dead-balls, which doesn't surprise me. As I said, they are a careful, organised team that knows how to manage their play on the pitch and they can also defend dead balls very well."

TURNING TO YOUTH

"We are fortunate to have a very deep squad that gives me the possibility to rotate. The downside, however, of this situation is that there remains less space for those coming from the youth sector, which has been doing an excellent job producing players for years.

"Chiara Beccari and Eva Schatzer are prime examples of this. For the trip to Campania, there are a few players who are not in their best shape, so Azzurra Gallo will certainly be called up. We will have to wait and see if we can get her on the pitch."

A PACKED CALENDAR

"It's clear that my staff and I always look a little further ahead than the next game, but as I've said many times before, we only and exclusively focus on one game at a time and in this case our focus is on the one against Napoli.

"After this match we will have Monday and Tuesday to prepare for the match against Hellas Verona in the Italian Cup, which is a very important competition for us. It's on par with the Women's Champions League and Serie A, so in terms of preparation, we won't be leaving anything to chance. Having said that, at the end of the match tomorrow we will see how the girls are doing and then we'll see where to go from there."

100 APPEARANCES FOR PPM AND CANTORE

"It's amazing. Pauline [Peyraud-Magnin] arrived at Juventus with a huge past already behind her. Her personal achievement was extraordinary as she was the first goalkeeper in the history of our women's team to make 100 appearances for the club.

"In Sofia [Cantore]'s case, we can say that she is a brilliant addition to the team. We are talking about a young girl who just over a month ago turned 25 and has already made 100 appearances for Juventus.

"When I first arrived, I said that those who had been here for a long time would help me to understand what it means to coach this club and to be part of this family. Having so many young women, in addition to those already a little more advanced in terms of number of appearances, with so many matches played - and in Sofia's case with already 100 matches played - is something that has helped me a lot and will continue to help me on my path here."