Primavera clinch national title with win over Juve!

Fabio Melillo’s side, who were top of their group with a 100% win record when the 2019-20 league season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, held their nerve to run out deserved winners against Juventus in a special final in Tirrenia.

"We deserved this trophy for everything we've done - last season we played great football," Melillo said.

"We are all pleased to be able to bring this trophy to Roma, to the club, who are making so much progress with women's football.

"The new season starts on Sunday, though, so we don't have time to enjoy this win. The aim now is to back it up and have another great season."

Alice Corelli – who has made her debut for the senior side already this season – opened the scoring with a powerful right-footed effort after just four minutes.

Fellow forward Maria Grazia Petrara then produced a breathtaking long-range strike just before the half-hour mark to put the Giallorosse in control, as her left-footed drive crashed in off the crossbar.

Melillo’s side had plenty of other chances to extend their advantage in the first half, with the Juventus goalkeeper making a number of fine saves to deny Corelli and Serena Landa – as Heden Corrado also saw a header crash away off the crossbar.

In the second half Juve cut the deficit to set up a tense final 30 minutes – but Roma, who only lost the 2018-19 final on penalties, held their nerve to see out the contest and clinch a memorable victory.

"Finally, after three years, we have managed to lift the trophy - I hope it's the first of many for us, we are all so pleased," Corelli said.

"We dominated in the first half but in the second we had to give absolutely everything. With my debut for the first team already this season and now the Primavera title - as a Roman and Roma fan it's all amazing."

When the league season was cut short with three games left to play, the side sat 13 points clear of Fiorentina in the south section - having won 17 games out of 17.

Melillo added: "Lots of the girls are now training regularly with the first team and are developing both physically and technically. Tough games like this will only aid their development even more."

Congratulations, girls!