Availability, heart and pride and in wearing the Azzurre shirt. These are the qualities - as seen more than once by the head coach - of an Italy that can't wait to take off, not only in a metaphorical sense. This afternoon, the squad will fly to Algeciras, a Spanish town on the Strait of Gibraltar, where they will face England in a friendly at the Estadio Nuevo Mirador tomorrow (18:00 CET, live on Rai 2) Following the fine performances in the Nations League against Spain - beaten away from home last December - and Sweden, two of the best teams in the world, Italy are now ready to test themselves against the current European champions.

“Another important test awaits us," said Andrea Soncin to Rai, "Another step of growth towards our goal. Against England (fourth in the FIFA rankings), we will have to be very alert from a defensive point of view, especially due to their direct attacking threat in behind, but we must also be aware that we can create from different situations and put them under pressure. We will go and play our game with courage." The Azzurre are coming into the game on the back of Friday's 0-0 draw against the Republic of Ireland, which was an opportunity to see "many girls who have played less up to now," added the coach. "Tomorrow, we will take on a national team made up of great individual players, so we will have to work well and bring an attitude to the pitch seen in the games at the end of last year."

In this clearly tough test ahead of start of Euro 2025 qualification (in April), Soncin expects a step up in finishing quality: "It's all part of a process of growth and awareness: being able to play against anyone, as we did in the Nations League, is an aspect that must give the players the confidence to be able to be the determining factor, even against high-level opponents: the higher the stake, the more clinical you have to be and to make the most of the opportunities that come your way." Before going out for the final training session before the game, the coach also spoke about Giulia Dragoni, who started Friday's match. "She's a great talent and must be accompanied on her journey as she matures, as her Club is doing. She will certainly be a very important player for the national team."

The 17-year-old Barcelona player, who last summer became the youngest Italian footballer ever to play in a World Cup, knows she can still grow in many aspects. “There's no need to get too big-headed, but just think about working hard, keeping your head down and continuing to give 100%,” underlined the midfielder, before replying to those who asked her if she feels like a future champion: “I won't go anywhere alone. I am on the same level as other teammates and I constantly try to learn from the older ones. I hope to bring my enthusiasm and become an inspiration for girls, so that they understand that with commitment and sacrifice you can wear the Italy shirt even at a very young age."

Dragoni, who scored her first goal with the Blaugrana first team in January ("for me playing with Barcelona simply means dreaming and hoping one day to be able to become like the best players that are there"), relies on the advice of the Azzurre seniors, primarily Elena Linari, with whom she has a special relationship, and following the instructions of Soncin and all the staff to the letter. “I am very grateful to the coach for trusting me. He asks me not to go searching too close to the ball and to play fast, I am available to the team and ready to play wherever the coach wants me to. We know that England are a strong and well-organised outfit, but we don't fear or feel inferior to anyone."

In closing, with the humility and intelligence that distinguishes her, she dedicated a thought to Sara Gama, providing some sweet words on the former Italian captain: "Unfortunately I wasn't able to experience her for long, but I realise what she means for the women's movement: what she was, what she still is and what she will be. I am sure that she will remain in this world and will continue to give her precious contribution. She leaves a national team that has grown, changed, with a lot of hunger, and this was also thanks to her."

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina), Amanda Tampieri (Sampdoria);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Aurora De Rita (Sampdoria), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Elisabetta Oliviero (Sampdoria), Julie Piga (Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Giulia Dragoni (Barcelona), Aurora Galli (Everton), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Sampdoria), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Inter), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Miriam Longo (Fiorentina), Martina Piemonte (Everton), Annamaria Serturini (Inter).