“Something great comes to mind when I think about this team”. Two days after the opening Nations League game against Wales, Barbara Bonansea found a lot of joy through scoring but also because of the harmony within the group. Italy continued their preparations at Coverciano this morning ahead of the Denmark game in La Spezia on Tuesday (18:15 CET, live on Rai 2).

The Juventus forward is back among the goals three years after her last goal in the Algarve Cup against Denmark. In between were the disappointing campaigns at Euro 2022 and the 2023 World Cup, as well as the change of technical staff, now distant memories, as Italy’s present has taken on a completely different tone, marked by confidence and a strong sense of unity. Bonansea explained to Rai Sport, “We are happy because there’s always a good atmosphere whenever we have a camp and everyone feels involved in what we are building. The coach has shown that he doesn’t play favourites but plays those who deserve to play and this is really important. The growth of the league helps our progress: the increased quality and competitiveness between the big sides also benefits the team.”

Now, Andrea Soncin’s side are on the hunt for the double and their third win in all games played at the ‘Picco’, after the games in 2015 and 2017 against Georgia and Moldova, thanks to a brace from Girelli and a goal from Bonansea. With her goal against Wales, she has now scored 31 international goals. The objective is to stay in first place in the group and maintain their unbeaten streak at their fortress and this will certainly push the Azzurre to get the win. The 33-year-old explained, “It will be a very difficult game, but we really want to bring the three points back, it’d be a great present”. She also explained the secret behind her brilliant form: “I have a great connection with all of my teammates and I really enjoy this, I probably missed this a bit in the last period, the fun side of things. Now I have found this again, I feel good”.

Tomorrow morning, the 29 players in the squad will take part in a final training session at Coverciano before heading to La Spezia, where they’ll have the walk round of the stadium and the press conference on the eve of the game. Tickets can be bought via Vivaticket and the following sites: figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com.

 

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Inter), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (AC Milan), Margot Shore (Bologna);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Juventus), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Fiorentina), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (AC Milan);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Emma Severini (Fiorentina), Annamaria Serturini (Inter);

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).