Switzerland are once again the team standing in the way of Italy on the road to the World Cup. This time, however, it won’t be Roberto Mancini’s men facing the Swiss, but the Azzurre instead. The six-pointer between the two teams currently leading Group G will take place at 17:30 CET on Friday 26 November at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo. Then, on Tuesday 30 November, Milena Bertolini’s girls will take on Romania in Voluntari in their final fixture of 2021.

The Head Coach has named 24 players in her squad for these vital fixtures. Galli and Guagni are unavailable and won’t be part of the group, but, compared to the October matches, Bertolini will be able to count on the services of Bartoli and Giugliano. Following her Under-23 experience, Juventus striker Agnese Bonfantini has also made the cut. The Azzurre will meet up at Coverciano on Sunday and depart for Palermo on Wednesday. Here, they’ll be warmly welcomed by the fans, who are ready to push Gama and Co. towards a fifth consecutive victory in Group G.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Roma);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);
Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Valeria Pirone (Roma), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).

Schedule (all times CET unless stated otherwise)

Sunday 21 November
Get-together at the Coverciano Federal Technical Centre

Monday 22 November
13:00 Press conference – Head Coach
15:00 Training

Tuesday 23 November
10:00 Training
15:00 Training

Wednesday 24 November
10:00 Training
17:15 Flight to Palermo

Thursday 25 November
14:45 Press conference at the Stadio Renzo Barbera – Head Coach and captain
15:45 Training

Friday 26 November
17:30 ITALY VS. SWITZERLAND

Saturday 27 November
10:30 Training

Sunday 28 November
10:30 Training
17:00 Departure for Bucharest

Monday 29 November
18:30 l.t. Training at the Stadionul Anghel Iordănescu in Voluntari (Bucharest)

Tuesday 30 November
18:30 l.t. ROMANIA VS. ITALY

Subsequent transfer to the airport in Bucharest and return to respective clubs