“Denmark are the favourites of the group, they are the reigning vice-champions. They are strong and have a unique style of play, but our strength has always been in our team”. One week ahead of the most anticipated fixture of the group, Head Coach of the Women’s National team Milena Bertolini talks about her fears, which are few, and her expectations, which are many.  

“Just as we respect the strength of Denmark,” continued the Head Coach at the press conference today at Coverciano. “I think they respect us too, they know our quality and they will take us on with much diligence, especially given the progress that has been made during these past three years, we’re an ever-evolving squad.” 

After seven wins in other fixtures, and after additionally defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina, who were their last Group B opponents, the Azzurre are ready to continue their path along the qualifiers for the 2022 Euros. Italy and Denmark, 14th and 16th place respectively in the FIFA World Rankings, lead Group B having taken the maximum amount of points. Tomorrow, before the fixture scheduled on 27 October, 17:30 CET at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli, the Danes will face Israel. This could be the match where the Azzurre win the group or at the very least steal a march on their rivals. 

In addition, Sara Gama will not be in Empoli, which is an important absence for Italy: “She’s a fundamental player for us,” explains Bertolini. “But this team has already shown that it’s a strong group, one that always makes up for even the heaviest of absences. When the girls play for Italy they always arrive with a smile and great enthusiasm and this is an added bonus, a trait that has been there since I’ve coached the Italy side. I also feel this time, compared to the previous meeting, that the girls are at a better physical and athletic level, better than in August/September time.

After AC Milan midfielder Valentina Bergamaschi suffered a forfeit yesterday, today she was excluded from Elisa Polli’s call ups, replaced by Empoli midfielder Cecilia Prugna. For tomorrow’s game, the player Elena Linari has been called forward, Wednesday 21 October. 

The accreditation operations for the match at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli are open until Thursday 22 October (12:00 CET) exclusively on the FIGC on-line electronic system www.accreditations.figc.it. 

List of players

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: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Marta Mascarello (Fiorentina), Cecilia Prugna (Empoli), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);
Attackers: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Angela Pia Caloia (Oxford United), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Empoli), Daniela Sabatino (Fiorentina), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

The Programme 

Tuesday 20 October 

13:30 CEST Head Coach Press Conference 

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 Head Coach and Captain Press Conference 

16:30 CET Training MD-1 at Coverciano 

Tuesday 27 October 

17:30 CET Match Italy vs. Denmark 

*closed to the press