Forgetting the home defeat they suffered against Denmark and finishing the year in the best possible fashion, taking a decisive step towards direct qualification to the Euros in the process. This is what Italy Women are aiming to do as their second Group B match against table-toppers Denmark approaches.

On Monday, the Azzurre will meet up at Coverciano to begin their preparations for the match on Tuesday 1 December in Viborg (17:15 CET kick-off). Assuming that Italy will pick up three points in their last group match against Israel, a point could be vital. After all, the three best-ranked second-placed teams will qualify directly for the final tournament.

In two weeks, the Milena Bertolini’s side will be looking for revenge against the Danes, against whom they’ll be aiming to display all of their technical quality and the strength of the group. They’ll also be seeking to build on their positive second-half display against the team that finished runners-up in the last European Championship. The Head Coach has called up 31 players for the upcoming clash.

Florentia striker Sofia Cantore has earned her first call-up, while captain Sara Gama, who missed Italy’s last two outings due to injury, is back in the squad. Aprile, Bergamaschi, Filangeri, Marinelli, Polli and the two Roma players Baldi and Pettenuzzo will also be involved after previously missing out. Alia Guagni, meanwhile, has made the cut after returning to training for Atletico Madrid following a 22-day quarantine period.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Roberta Aprile (Inter), Rachele Baldi* (AS Roma), Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Katja Schroffenegger* (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli* (AS Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Empoli), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Atletico Madrid), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Elena Linari (Bordeaux), Tecla Pettenuzzo* (AS Roma), 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), Gloria Marinelli (Inter), Marta Mascarello* (Fiorentina), Cecilia Prugna (Empoli), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Florentia San Gimignano), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Elisa Polli (Empoli), Daniela Sabatino* (Fiorentina), Stefania Tarenzi (Inter).

Schedule (all times CET)

Sunday 22 November
Staff meet-up by 20:00 at the Coverciano Federal Technical Center

Monday 23 November
Player meet-up by 20:00 at the Coverciano Federal Technical Center  

Tuesday 24 November
13:00 Press conference (Head Coach)
15:00 Training

Wednesday 25 November
9:30 Training
15:00 Training

Thursday 26 November
15:00 Training

Friday 27 November
9:30 Training
15:00 Training

Saturday 28 November
15:00 Training

Sunday 29 November
9:30 Training
13:20 Transfer from Florence to Venice Marco Polo Airport followed by chartered flight to Billund

Monday 30 November
17:15 Training at the Vibrog Stadium

Tuesday 1 December
17:15 Denmark vs. Italy

Wednesday 2 December
10:00 Return to Italy

*will only join up with the squad after receiving permission from the relevant health authorities