Milena Bertolini's side will be looking to round off 2022 with a victory over Northern Ireland to provide confidence and a morale-boosting win as preparations continue towards the World Cup finals next summer. Tomorrow in Belfast (20:00 CET, live on rai Sport + HD), the Azzurre will be seeking their fourth win in as many matches against the hosts, who are 49th in the FIFA World Rankings.

Italy carried out their final training session this morning at the Seaview Stadium, familiarising themselves with the pitch on which the Azzurre's redemption is to begin. But the two consecutive defeats against Brazil and Austria, both 1-0, as well as highlighting some issues they will need to improve on ahead of the World Cup, have provided valuable indications to the Head Coach who is ready to start from the positives shown by her players in the friendly in Lignano Sabbiadoro: "Against Austria, we gave some young players some experience, and they performed well, also finding the courage to press the opposition in their half in an attempt to take on the game", she said.

The match against Northern Ireland, who return from a forgettable European Championships with zero goals scored and three defeats, including one against Austria, will give the Azzurre the chance to revise some aspects that haven't been as productive as wished for in the last few matches, starting with consistency in front of goal. "I expect a match similar to the one played three days ago," added the Coach, "We will have to play with intensity and physicality and be good at going forward in possession. To surprise the Northern Ireland defence and put our forwards in a position to score, we need more technical precision, but I'm confident we'll be well-prepared”.