With the friendly match against Morocco scheduled for tomorrow in Ferrara (18:15 CEST, live on Rai 2) the 'Italian' section of the National Women's team camp will come to a close. After two weeks of preparation in Brueneck, the team is ready to face the African outfit in the final test before the departure for Auckland, scheduled for Monday 5 July, where the Italian team will continue to work in preparation of the World Cup opener against Argentina on 24 July.

Italy return to the 'Paolo Mazza' and will be hunting for their sixth victory in as many matches: here in 2019, beating Belgium, they secured their qualification for the World Cup in France, and again here nine months ago, with their success against Romania (2-0), they claimed their ticket to New Zealand. "By now Ferrara is as if it were our home," said the coach in the press conference, "this facility in my opinion is perfect for women's football and we have wonderful memories here because the journey to the World Cup has always passed through here. We keep our fingers crossed and hope that this positive run will continue.”

Bertolini admits that the excellent work of the 32 players she currently has at her disposal has not allowed her to narrow down the list of players she will call up to the squad with just a few days to go. "I still have doubts and tomorrow's match will serve to try to answer some questions. There are certainties, but right now I have not yet defined the names of the 23 girls who will participate in the World Cup.”

In their first meeting with the African side, the team will try to prove that they have been on the right track in this first part of the training camp, and in general in these past few years of intense work. "Italy are growing and growing - concluded the coach - we are training in the best possible way but we still have to make important steps to be able to reach the level of countries that have a history of planning, investment and resources different from or even better than ours. This does not mean that there should not be excitement, but the word I would use is 'balance', which is in no way in contrast with the desire to raise the level: everyone has the same dream, which is to go as far as we can in the competition, and then there is a sense of reality, the two things must go hand in hand.”

In her last appearance in Ferrara, Lisa Boattin grabbed her first goal in the Azzurre shirt and qualification for the World Cup, a feeling she wanted to share with the journalists present. "We have so many good memories here," she said before heading out for the final training session. "At 'Mazza' we have played so many important matches and tomorrow's will be too: we want to win because it would help to build excitement, which is vital in our preparation.”

Superstition aside, and without underestimating Morocco, who thanks to former Lyon coach Reynald Pedros (winner of 'The Best FIFA Women's Coach' award in 2018) achieved their first historic qualification to the World Cup finals, the defender's thoughts are already turning towards the World Cup opener. "In New Zealand we can’t afford to make the mistake we made in the European Championship. We have a tough group: not only Sweden, but also Argentina, who did very well at the last World Cup, and South Africa, who won the African Cup of Nations, beating Morocco in the final. We will have to go there with a lot of humility, and take it game after game. Of course we will do our best to get out of the group.”

Tickets: In order to give a sign of strength and to give an occasion of fun and sharing to the population of Emilia Romagna, so harshly affected by the flooding, the FIGC has provided popular prices and reduced rates for residents of Emilia Romagna. Until the kick-off of the match, it will be possible to buy tickets at Vivaticket agencies, on the websites figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.comand at the box office in Via Cassoli, which will open tomorrow from 15:00 CEST (for all info on the ticket office click here).

Captain's armband initiative: FIFA, in collaboration with several United Nations agencies, will give visibility during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand to a range of social factors, from peace to gender equality, selected after extensive consultation with stakeholders, including the players of the 32 participating national teams. As part of the 'Football Unites the World' (Il calcio unisce il mondo’) campaign, eight messages will appear on the captain's armbands during the competition:

- United for Inclusion

- United for indigenous peoples

- United for Gender Equality

- United for Peace

- United for Education for All

- United for Zero Hunger

- United to end violence against women

- Football is joy, peace, love, hope and passion

"Football unites the world and our global events, such as the FIFA Women's World Cup, have the unique power to bring people together and provide joy, excitement and passion," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino, "but football does even more: it can turn the spotlight on causes that are very important to our society." The Italian national team have enthusiastically welcomed the initiative and before the opener against Argentina will meet to choose the theme or themes to be placed on the armband during the World Cup journey.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (AC Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Julie Piga (FC Fleury 91), Chiara Robustellini (Inter), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Giulia Dragoni (Barcellona), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Emma Severini (Fiorentina), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Flaminia Simonetti (Inter);

Attackers: Chiara Beccari (Como Women), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Martina Piemonte (AC Milan), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).