Looking ahead with pride and assuredness. Andrea Soncin responded to journalists in the first press conference of this retreat, underlining how work starts on the pitch but doesn’t stop on the grass: “The girls’ performances show that we can still do a lot. I want to express an awareness of being able to grow further, us as a squad and the entire system”.

A new journey begins for the Azzurre, as the Coach emphasised at Coverciano. Because on Friday, the Azzurre begin the road to Switzerland and the next Women’s Euros in the summer of 2025. Step after step, it’s a “journey of growth” for Soncin’s team, who will want to capitalise on the good done in the last round of the Nations League: finishing second in the group behind reigning World Cup champions, Spain, who we defeated at home, and ahead of Sweden.

The retreat began in the wake of Easter weekend ahead of the debut group game on Friday afternoon in Cosenza (kick-off at 18:45 CEST, live on RAI 2) against the Netherlands; then on Tuesday 9 April, there will be the clash in Finland with the overall aim of finishing in the top two spots in the group, that also includes Norway, to get a step closer to Switzerland. 

“It’s clear that the first games are key, but they won’t be fundamental: like the Nations League group taught us, everything will be decided in July, with the final games”. Soncin shows the way to his players, emphasising that the Netherlands are “a side of great value. We need to have the right humility, something that the girls have always shown. They are a side that pushes forward, but we are aware and convinced that we have the right things in our arsenal to face them. I have many options in all departments; I can vary our system within a game”.

Cosenza will be back to host the Azzurre 28 years after the win over England in a Euro 1997 qualifier. Soncin commented: “The reception at the ground will be a factor. We will play at the historic San Vito-Gigi Marulla… the Italy team is for everyone and it’s right to play all over the country”. Currently, over 2,000 tickets have been sold.

Annamaria Serturini has returned to her respective club. Sassuolo midfielder, Cecilia Prugna, has joined the retreat.

KOMEN ITALIA INITIATIVE. Thanks to the collaboration with the FIGC, the mobile units of the Komen Italia Prevention Caravan will be in Calabria to ensure women have access to effective and fair opportunities for protecting their health. On Thursday 4 and Friday 5 April, Komen Italia will be in Cosenza to offer specialist visits for the prevention of breast cancer reserved for women outside regional screening and, in particular, mammograms for women aged between 40 and 49 and over 70s, and breast ultrasound scans for women under 40.

TICKET OFFICE. Tickets for the match against the Netherlands are on sale at authorised Vivaticket agencies and online at figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com. They cost €14 (main stand) and €5 (opposite stand). There is also a reduced price for Under 18s and Over 65s, who will be able to watch the match in the Distinti sector for just €1.

On matchday, Friday 5 April, the ticket booth at the ground will be open for sales from 15:00 CEST until 19:00 CEST.

ACCREDITATIONS. Until tomorrow at 18:00 CEST, Wednesday 3 April, it will be possible to request accreditation via the FIGC online system: figc.getyourevent.online for the Netherlands game in Cosenza.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina), Margot Shore (Hellas Verona);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), 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 (Barcellona), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Cecilia Prugna (Sassuolo), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

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

Schedule

Wednesday 3 April
11:00 CEST - Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)
14:00 CEST - press conference (player)

Thursday 4 April
11:00 CEST - Training on MD-1 (first 15 minutes open to the media)
16:30 CEST - Departure for Cosenza
19:15 CEST - Walk Around at the San Vito-Gigi Marulla in Cosenza
Followed by a press conference at the San Vito-Gigi Marulla

Friday 5 April
18:15 CEST - ITALY vs. Netherlands (live on Rai 2)
Followed by a press conference
Return Coverciano

Saturday 6 April
11:00 CEST - Training (closed)

Sunday 7 April
11:00 CEST - Training (closed)
16:30 CEST - Departure for Helsinki

Monday 8 April
18:00 local time (17:00 CEST) - Training on MD-1 at the Helsinki Football Stadium

Tuesday 9 April
19:15 local time (18:15 CEST) - Finland vs. ITALY (live on Rai 2)
Return to Italy