Italy were tight at the back and lethal at the right time going forward, winning by a narrow margin (1-0 the final score) against Denmark in the opening match of the Algarve Cup thanks to Bonansea’s goal at the start of the second half.

13 and a half months after that goalless draw in Denmark which ultimately paved the way to Euro qualification, Milena Bertolini's girls encountered the Scandinavians again today. As was the case back then, Italy’s defensive resolve was strong, only this time they managed to find the net at the other end thanks to a great bit of combination play between Cernoia, Bergamaschi and Bonansea.

“It was a hard-fought victory. But when you play against opponents as strong as this, you’re always forced to dig in.” These were the words of Milena Bertolini after the match. The Head Coach continued: “I liked the attitude of the team. I saw a great deal of focus and sacrificial spirit, which are essential components to play at a high level. We’re happy because there were good signs with the imminent future in mind.”

The game. Milena Bertolini gave Orsi her National Team debut, putting her straight into the starting eleven alongside captain Sara Gama in defence. At the other end of the pitch, Martina Piemonte got the nod up front, with Bonansea and Bergamaschi supporting her from the wide areas. With defences on top, the two teams struggled to find space in the opening 45 minutes. As a result, the first half was devoid of any excitement and goalmouth action.

At half-time, Bertolini made a change in attack, replacing Piemonte with Girelli, while Caruso also took Galli’s spot in midfield. And in the 50th minute, Italy opened the scoring with a well-worked move down the right that ended with Bonansea converting Bergamaschi’s low cross. It was the Juventus striker’s 26th Italy goal, making her the ninth most prolific Azzurre player of all time outright.

It was now a much more exciting match, with Denmark in a position where they had to attack to draw level. Italy, meanwhile, were playing more incisive football, constantly looking to thread through balls that could cause the Danish defence problems. In the closing stages, Denmark created two big chances to equalise, but Giuliani was able to thwart both Lundorf (80’) and Madsen (87’), thus ensuring that the Azzurre came out on top.

Denmark 0-1 Italy
DENMARK: Christensen (63’ Larsen K.), Thrige, Ballisager, Obaze, Boye, Troelsgaard, Moller (78’ Madsen), Kuhl (63’ Snerle), Bruun (78’ Larsen S.), Gejl (78’ Holdt), Svava. Subs: Harder, Veje, Lundorf, Gevitz, Thomsen, Thygesen. Head Coach: Søndergaard
ITALY: Giuliani, Orsi, Gama (62’ Guagni), Lenzini, Boattin, Galli (46’ Caruso), Giugliano, Cernoia (65’ Rosucci), Bergamaschi (78’ Di Guglielmo), Bonansea (62’ Serturini), Piemonte (46’ Girelli). Subs: Durante, Baldi, Linari, Giacinti, Simonetti, Cantore. Head Coach: Bertolini
REFEREE: Corella (ECU). Assistants: Nahuelcoy (CIL) and Suk Park (COR). Fourth Official: Domingos (POR)
GOAL: 50’ Bonansea
NOTES – Booked: Gama. Added time: 1’ first half, 4’ second half. Approximate attendance: 150.

Tournament schedule (all times in local time - GMT)

Wednesday 16 February
Denmark 0-1 ITALY
18:30 Norway vs. Portugal (Estadio Municipal - Lagos)

Friday 18 February
17:00 Sweden vs. Denmark (Estadio Algarve - Faro)

Sunday 20 February
12:00 ITALY vs. Norway (Estadio Algarve - Faro)
17:15 Portugal vs. Sweden (Estadio Algarve - Faro)

Wednesday 23 February
11:00 Final - 1st vs. 2nd (Estadio Municipal - Lagos)
From 10:30 to 13 – Triangular tournament 3rd, 4th and 5th (Estadio Algarve - Faro)

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Napoli Femminile), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (Milan);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Milan), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Angelica Soffia (Roma);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Flaminia Simonetti (Inter);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Sassuolo), Valentina Giacinti (Fiorentina), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Martina Piemonte (Milan), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).