Canzi & Bonansea: We know our ability, we’ll do our all to advance

The Juventus Women’s First Team are in midweek European action, with the playoff round of the Women’s Champions League taking them away to Germany to take on Wolfsburg on Thursday for a 18:45 CET kick-off. 

Bianconere boss Massimiliano Canzi was joined by Barbara Bonansea for the usual Matchday -1 press conference. Here’s what they had to say.

BARBARA BONANSEA

“There have been games and moments when we’ve felt well, but we’ve probably grown a lot in these last few years. Thinking about the challenges we’ve faced this year and the games we’ve played, I have to say that we’re more mature, especially when you look at the Champions League. We’re determined and aware that we can beat anybody. We’re coming up against strong teams, but we’re a strong side as well, and I’m sure that nobody would want to play us. We’re a mature group and ready to go out there and play on the big stage.

“Thankfully, thanks to the space I’ve been afforded in the team and the work done in training, I feel like I’m back in form after some physical problems, and I feel like I can help my teammates. I feel good, I don’t know if I’d say I’m at 100% but I’m in good shape. There’s no secret to lasting this long as a player, I have fun playing football, I always train to my maximum, and I find it hard to take it easy even during the week.

MASSIMILIANO CANZI

“These are knockout games, so the focus and motivation take care of themselves. I’m lucky to have a squad of players with experience, so I don’t need to add much from a mental side of things. 

“We need to be attentive to Wolfsburg’s quality, their way of playing and to be respectful of a club that has, in the past, done big things in Europe. The group are in good shape, we’ll be without Martina Rosucci and Cecilia Salvai, though both will be with the group, just not involved.

“On a personal note, it will be an emotional experience for me. It’s an objective I’ve had since starting my journey in July 2024, and along the way I’ve already taken huge satisfaction. It’s no coincidence that we’re here, we’re here because we deserve to be. We should be happy to play on such a stage, but also be aware of our quality. Our strength this year has been our defensive solidity, and we know that organisation and work rate without the ball will be crucial. Great teams must be able to win games in many different ways, be it by dominating or by knowing how to suffer. We’ll give our all to advance to the next round.”