After seven wins in as many games, and after sweeping aside Bosnia in their last match in Group B, Italy Women are ready to take to the pitch again to resume their Euro 2022 qualifying campaign. On Monday 19 October, the team will get together at Coverciano to prepare for their match against Denmark, with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 CEST on Tuesday 27 October at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli.

The last meeting between the sides was in July 2013, when Antonio Cabrini’s Azzurre side ran out 2-1 winners (goals from Gabbiadini and Mauro) to qualify for the quarter-finals of the European Championship. This time around, direct qualification to the final tournament is at stake: the nine group winners and three best runners-up will progress, while the remaining six second-place sides will have to compete in the play-offs to qualify.

Italy and Denmark, who are ranked 14th and 16th in the world respectively, are leading the way in Group B having picked up maximum points, although the Danes have a better goal difference. The two teams will be competing for top spot in the group, and everything will be decided when they take each other on in Empoli and then Viborg on 1 December. For the fixture in less than two weeks’ time, Head Coach Milena Bertolini has called up 28 players. Sara Gama is once again unavailable due to injury, while Alia Guagni, Salvai and Cernoia return after missing Italy’s last match. Oxford United striker Angela Pia Caloia has earned her first call-up.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Francesca Durante (Hellas Verona), Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Empoli), Alia Guagni (Atletico Madrid), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo), Elena Linari (Bordeaux), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina), Linda Tucceri Cimini (AC Milan);

Midfielders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Marta Mascarello (Fiorentina), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Angela Pia Caloia (Oxford United), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Empoli), Elisa Polli (Empoli), Daniela Sabatino (Fiorentina), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

Schedule

Monday 19 October
Team to meet up by 20:00 CEST at Coverciano

Tuesday 20 October
13:30 CEST Press conference (Head Coach)
16:30 CEST Training

Wednesday 21 October
11:30 CEST Training *
16:30 CEST Training *

Thursday 22 October
16:30 CEST Training *

Friday 23 October
10:00 CEST Training *
16:30 CEST Training *

Saturday 24 October
16:30 CEST Training *

Sunday 25 October
16:30 CET Training *

Monday 26 October
15:45 CET Press conference (Head Coach and Captain)
16:30 CET Training

Tuesday 27 October
17:30 Italy vs. Denmark

* No press access