Antonio Cincotta’s Fiorentina Women side pushed Juventus all the way at the Stadio Bozzi on Sunday but eventually went down 2-1 in the Serie A Week 26 clash.

Andrea Staskova gave the visitors the lead on 13 minutes after the Czech finished off a good move from Juventus at the second time of asking.

Fiorentina dug deep and found their equaliser shortly after the half-hour mark. And it was an effort to remember for Lana Clelland, who drove towards goal down the left before cutting inside and curling a right-footed effort towards goal – the Juventus keeper could only get a hand to it as it found the back of the net for 1-1.

The Viola were back on level terms – but that wasn’t to last long. On the stroke of half time, Staskova received the ball on the edge of the Fiorentina box, chesting it down and to her left before turning and finding the far corner of the goal to restore Juve’s lead at 2-1.

Fiorentina looked energised after the break, thanks in no small part to the work of Sara Baldi and Daniela Sabatino, both of whom created plenty for Juventus to keep an eye on as the half wore on. Yet the visitors were a threat too, with Katja Schroffenegger needed to produce a series of fine saves to keep Cincotta’s side in the contest.

Both teams made changes as the minutes ticked away, but ultimately there were to be no more goals and the final whistle – after four minutes of added time – confirmed the defeat for Fiorentina.

Fiorentina 1-2 Juventus
Scorers: Staskova 13, 44, Clelland 34.

ACF FIORENTINA: Schroffenegger, Cordia (75' Breitner), Quinn, Adami (C), Thogersen, Vigilucci, Baldi Middag (68' Neto), Zanoli, Clelland, Sabatino (75' Piemonte).
Subs not used: Ohrstrom, Forcinella, Monnecchi, Lorieri, Mazzoni, Mani
Coach: Antonio Cincotta.

JUVENTUS: Giuliani, Hyyrynen, Salvai, Sembrant, Boattin; Caruso (66' Galli), Pedersen, Rosucci (80' Zamanian); Cernoia, Staskova, Hurtig (80' Girelli).
Subs not used: Bacic, Ippolito, Skovsen, Caiazzo, Giordano, Berti.
Coach: Rita Guarino.