With a fifty-place gap between the sides in the FIFA World Rankings (Italy: 14th, Israel: 64th), the Azzurre will go into tonight’s match (17:30 CEST, live on Rai 2) against Israel as clear favourites. This evening’s game marks the beginning of qualification for the UEFA Women’s Championship, set to take place in England in 2021.

The Azzurre have drawn attention to themselves following an impressive World Cup in France earlier this summer – a reputation which can only be enhanced through further good results. The next challenge is to secure qualification for EURO 2021. Two wins from their first two matches in Israel and in Georgia would send a strong signal. 

The team consists largely of players who represented their country in France (17 of 23), but they will have to do without the experience of the injured Barbara Bonansea. Six new players have been given a call up – goalkeepers Durante and Baldi, as well as Panzeri, Bonfantini, Caruso and Marinelli.

"The main danger is that we underestimate Israel, who are below Italy in the world rankings," said Head Coach Milena Bertolini. "But the girls know that the World Cup was just the beginning, and by no means the limit of our potential. The result of the match tomorrow and in the coming games will depend on our attitude on the pitch. Women’s football is growing in Israel, it is getting much more attention and many of their players are gaining experience by playing in foreign leagues."

Sara Gama, too, urged the team not to take their opening qualifier lightly: "We will come up against a team who are in the process of establishing their game, they are much better prepared physically than they were a few years ago and we will not underestimate them in any way." The Azzurre captain also sent a message to Israel: "Follow your passion, never give up. Nothing can be easily overcome in life and working hard is the only way."

The Azzurre squad

Goalkeepers: Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina Women), Rachele Baldi (Empoli Ladies);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Fiorentina Women), Elena Linari (Atletico de Madrid), Vanessa Panzeri (Juventus), Linda Tucceri Cimini (AC Milan);
Midfielders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Agnese Bonfantini (AS Roma), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (AS Roma);
Forwards: Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Gloria Marinelli (FC Inter), Daniela Sabatino (Sassuolo), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

Staff – Head of the delegation: Barbara Facchetti. Head coach: Milena Bertolini; Assistant coach: Nicola Matteucci; Fitness coach: Francesco Perondi; Goalkeeper coach: Cristiano Viotti; Match Analyst: Marco Mannucci; Doctors: Luca Gatteschi, Ferdinando Iannotti; Physiotherapists: Daniele Frosoni, Matteo Cossa; Nutritionist: Natale Gentile.

The Azzurre schedule

Wednesday 28 August
18:30 Training session at Ramat Gan stadium (First 15 minutes open to media)

Thursday 29 August
18:30 (17:30 Italian time) Israel vs. Italy
Media activities at conclusion of match

Friday 30 August
9:30 Training session at training centre in Shefayim (closed)

Saturday 31 August
14:10 Departure for Tbilisi from Tel Aviv
17:45 Arrival in Tbilisi and transfer to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tbilisi

Sunday 1 September
17:00 Training session at ‘David Petriashvili’ training centre (closed)

Monday 2 September
17:00 Training session at ‘Mikheil Meskhi’ stadium (First 15 minutes open to media)

Tuesday 3 September
16:15 (14:15 Italian time) Georgia vs. Italy

Media activities at conclusion of match

Wednesday 4 September 
05.05 Return to Italy via Monaco

Notes: Israel: CEST+1 / Georgia: CEST +2