Finishing 2024 well with a draw against World Champions Spain and a first-ever away win against Germany, Italy are determined to start the Nations League strong up against Wales and Denmark. The two fixtures will signal the start of the second UEFA Nations League Women campaign, which kicked off Soncin’s job as the Azzurre boss a year and a half ago. On Friday 21 at Monza Stadium (18:15 CET, Rai 2) Italy will take on Wales before the second game on Wednesday 25 February (18:15 CET, Rai 2), up against Denmark at Spezia’s Stadio Picco.

Making the most of top support, the team want to continue reaching new heights and to keep improving together ahead of EURO 2025. This is the manager’s goal, and he has selected his 29-player team for the first matches in League A, Group Four. Beatrice Merlo has been called up for the first time since the 2023 World Cup. Other than the Inter captain, Annamaria Serturini, Cristiana Girelli and Martina Piemonte make a return to the squad.

OPPOSITION. 20 years on from our only match in Monza, the Azzurre are returning to the venue, which hosted Milan Women during the 2019/20 season. Wales, currently 30th in FIFA rankings, have lost their only three games against Italy in 1978, 2018 and 2019, unable to score and conceding 12 goals, two of which came from Girelli. The Juventus forward scored two braces in two wins at Spezia’s Stadio Picco in 2016 and 2017. The newly renovated stadium, where the Women’s Supercup between Roma and Fiorentina was played last January, will be the venue for our 29th meeting with Denmark who are 12th in FIFA rankings (Soncin’s team is only one place below). History favours the Danes, who have won 13 times, losing only seven matches, including the last match in 2022 in the Algarve Cup. Barbara Bonansea scored the winner.

TICKET OFFICE Tickets for both games are on sale at Vivaticket vendors and online at figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com. There will be a deal for Under 18s and over 65s: you can go to both matches for only one euro! Those who buy tickets for the first match against Wales will also get a 25% discount on online tickets for seats in the Orange Stand Second Ring at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan for the Men’s Nations League quarter-final clash between Italy and Germany on Thursday 20 March at 20:45 CET.

ACCREDITATION. Media passes for both matches are available exclusively through FIGC’s online platform figc.getyourevent.online

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Inter), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Bologna);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Juventus), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Fiorentina), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (Milan);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Monaco), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina), Annamaria Serturini (Inter);

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).

SCHEDULE

Sunday 16 February
Retreat at Coverciano

Monday 17 February
13:00 CET Coach press conference
15:00 CET Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Tuesday 18 February
11:00 CET Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Wednesday 19 February
11:00 CET Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Thursday 20 February
11:00 CET Official MD-1 training (first 15 minutes open to the media)
15:55 CET Departure for Milan
Walk around in Monza

Friday 21 February
18:15 CET ITALY vs. Wales (live on Rai 2)
Return to Coverciano

Saturday 22 February
11:30 CET Training (closed to the media)

Sunday 23 February
11:30 CET Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Monday 24 February
11:00 CET Official MD-1 training (first 15 minutes open to the media)
16:00 CET Departure for La Spezia
Walk around and press conference at the Stadio Alberto Picco in La Spezia

Tuesday 25 February
18:15 CET ITALY vs. Denmark