Exactly one month away from the opener against Argentina, the training camp for the National Women's team continues in view of the departure for New Zealand. This morning's training session and Milena Bertolini's press conference kicked off the second week of work in Bruneck, where the Azzurre - with the World Cup in the background - are preparing for the match against Morocco scheduled for Saturday, July 1st at 18:15 CEST at the 'Paolo Mazza' stadium in Ferrara (live on Rai 2).

Italy are speeding towards the upcoming fixtures, but before returning to the field for the afternoon session - preceded by a visit from the mayor Roland Gressmair, who wanted to greet the staff and the 32 players - the coach took a step back to explain the reasons for Sara Gama not being called up. "Do not think that I made this choice lightheartedly" Bertolini said at the start "as head coach I have the right and the duty to make decisions. The motivation is exclusively technical-tactical and physical, ours is a movement in great growth and there are many young players who are growing and doing very well". On the manner in which the exclusion was communicated to Gama, she added: 'I needed time to clear any last doubts, I have reflected for a long time because I wanted to be certain of this decision".

From a human point of view, it is natural that the team is saddened by the absence of those who have made the history of the movement and the national team. "Most of the players have known each other and played together for a very long time," stressed the coach, "often there is a relationship that goes beyond the playing field but, as I said, my role requires me to make choices. I can confirm that the girls have come here with great enthusiasm and that they are focused on the goal we have set ourselves, which is to play good football and get through the group stage". From the pride for having achieved a second consecutive qualification to the final phase of the World Cup, the coach then dwells on the approach with which Italy will have to face the tournament: "Since last September we have started to propose new solutions and to include the youngest players. We do not want to be bound to a single game plan, I prefer to talk about tactical dynamism because the team, depending on the opponent we will face, will have to know how to adapt, even in the match in progress".

In closing, Bertolini dwelt on two players who had only recently, very recently become part of the senior selection. "It is the first time that we are calling up Piga - she concluded - she plays in France as a central defender, she has physicality and a great ability in the aerial game, let's see if she will be able to enter the team's mechanisms immediately. Together with her we are also closely observing Dragoni, whom we had already called before the last friendly against Colombia. She is a talent, she has very important potential and she has grown a lot in these years in which, in addition to her experience abroad, she has made her way in the youth national teams. Let's see if she will be ready to enter the list of the 23 players called up for the World Cup".

ITALY vs. MOROCCO It is possible to purchase tickets for the friendly match against Morocco (Saturday, July 1, 18:15 CEST at the 'Paolo Mazza' stadium in Ferrara) at the Vivaticket agencies and on the figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com websites. In order to give a sign of closeness and to give an occasion of fun and sharing to the population of Emilia Romagna, so harshly affected by the flooding, the FIGC has planned lower prices and reduced rates for the residents of Emilia Romagna. On the day of the match, it will be possible to buy coupons at the box office in via Cassoli, starting at 15:00 CEST and until the start of the match.

Media Accreditation: Until 29 June (15 CEST) (https://figc.getyourevent.online/).

Squadlist

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

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (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);

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