Pernille Harder, right, got the winner in the second half for Chelsea
Chelsea secured their first win in this season’s Women’s Champions League with an impressive display at Juventus.
Erin Cuthbert’s fine solo goal with just over half an hour gone had put the visitors ahead at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus responded almost immediately when Barbara Bonansea volleyed home from a cross.
However, Pernille Harder gave Chelsea victory when she reacted quickly in a crowded area to turn in the winning goal.
The win means Chelsea have four points from two games in Group A after they drew 3-3 with Wolfsburg in their opener.
Emma Hayes’ side faced a daunting task in Turin against a team that had won their last 11 games on the trot, a run that also included eight clean sheets at home.
But that near-impenetrable Juventus defence was breached in the 31st minute when Cuthbert received the ball outside the box, weaved past defenders and slotted in.
It briefly silenced a vocal home crowd but Juventus’ response was as impressive as it was swift as Lisa Boattin played a deep ball into the far side of the box where Bonansea had got ahead of the defence to drive inside the near post.
It was the second time in as many games in the competition where Chelsea had scored first only to then concede.
But, unlike against Wolfsburg – where they went 3-1 down before fighting back for a draw – they responded by retaking the lead.
The visitors were the better side in the second half and rewarded for their attacking intent when Harder struck after good work by Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr.
Only an excellent late save late by Pauline Peyraud-Magnin, to keep out Kerr’s shot, prevented Chelsea from winning by a more convincing margin.
Line-ups
Juventus Femminile
Formation 4-3-3
16Peyraud-Magnin
12Lundorf3Gama23Salvai13Boattin
8Rosucci14Pedersen7Cernoia
11Bonansea10Girelli17Hurtig
- 16Peyraud-Magnin
- 12Lundorf
- 3Gama
- 23SalvaiSubstituted forLenziniat 73′minutes
- 13Boattin
- 8RosucciSubstituted forCarusoat 81′minutes
- 14PedersenSubstituted forZamanianat 89′minutes
- 7Cernoia
- 11BonanseaSubstituted forBonfantiniat 72′minutes
- 10GirelliSubstituted forStaskováat 81′minutes
- 17Hurtig
Substitutes
- 1Aprile
- 2Hyyrynen
- 5Nildén
- 9Stasková
- 18Giai
- 19Zamanian
- 21Caruso
- 22Bonfantini
- 27Beccari
- 29Pfattner
- 71Lenzini
Chelsea Women
Formation 3-4-3
30Berger
4Bright7Carter16Eriksson
22Cuthbert8Leupolz10Ji11Reiten
14Kirby20Kerr23Harder
- 30Berger
- 4Bright
- 7Carter
- 16Eriksson
- 22CuthbertSubstituted forFlemingat 66′minutes
- 8Leupolz
- 10JiSubstituted forIngleat 74′minutes
- 11Reiten
- 14KirbySubstituted forAnderssonat 83′minutes
- 20Kerr
- 23Harder
Substitutes
- 1Musovic
- 3Nouwen
- 5Ingle
- 9England
- 17Fleming
- 18Mjelde
- 21Charles
- 24Spence
- 25Andersson
- 28Telford
- 29Fox
Live Text
Match ends, Juventus Femminile 1, Chelsea Women 2.
Second Half ends, Juventus Femminile 1, Chelsea Women 2.
Attempt saved. Andrea Stasková (Juventus Femminile) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Lina Hurtig.
Corner, Juventus Femminile. Conceded by Ann-Katrin Berger.
Attempt missed. Sara Gama (Juventus Femminile) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Valentina Cernoia following a set piece situation.
Foul by Melanie Leupolz (Chelsea Women).
Sara Gama (Juventus Femminile) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Annahita Zamanian replaces Sofie Pedersen because of an injury.
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Lisa Boattin.
Attempt blocked. Sophie Ingle (Chelsea Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Sam Kerr with a cross.
Foul by Jessie Fleming (Chelsea Women).
Lisa Boattin (Juventus Femminile) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Jonna Andersson replaces Fran Kirby.
Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Arianna Caruso replaces Martina Rosucci.
Substitution, Juventus Femminile. Andrea Stasková replaces Cristiana Girelli.
Corner, Juventus Femminile. Conceded by Magdalena Eriksson.
Foul by Guro Reiten (Chelsea Women).
Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus Femminile) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Corner, Chelsea Women. Conceded by Sara Gama.
Substitution, Chelsea Women. Sophie Ingle replaces Ji So-Yun.
