Bonansea’s headed goal in the opening stages was enough for Italy to beat Wales and get their Nations League campaign off to a victorious start. In front of FIGC General Secretary Marco Brunelli and over 4,000 spectators in Monza, the Azzurre took a 5th-minute lead and then came close to doubling their lead through Girelli (115th cap for her tonight) but couldn’t break down an obdurate Wales side. Italy are next in action on Tuesday evening went they host Denmark in la Spezia.

“We wanted the win but it wasn’t guaranteed because the level of this competition is really high,” head coach Andrea Soncin said after full-time. “We definitely could’ve been more accurate in the final third, but I’m really pleased with the girls’ attitude. I liked the way the starters got into the game quickly, but those who came off the bench also gave a lot and showed that this is a solid and united group.”

THE GAME.  In Italy’s first outing of 2025, Soncin opted to go once more with a back 3 of Di Guglielmo, Lenzini and Linari. At left wing-back was Oliviero, who was the revelation of the evening. The Lazio wide player returned to the starting XI for the first time in over a year since making her Italy debut. Alongside her, Soncin went his Giugliano, Caruso, Greggi and Bonansea. Up top were Juventus forwards Cantore and Girelli, who made her first start (wearing the armband) since the Malta game in October.

Ready, set, goal. Italy started on the front foot and carved out an immediate opener. Giugliano swung in the corner and Bonansea headed past Clark in goal to score her 31st for the Azzurre – her first in the Soncin era. Two minutes later, Girelli’s header struck the upper side of the crossbar. The goalscorer was in inspired form and caused a scare for the guests in the 25th minute as she dribbled past three players and cut it back for Cantore, who failed to find the net. That was the last real chance of the half for either side as the tempo of the game dropped.

The start of the second half was largely similar to the end of the first, with the Azzurre controlling possession and searching for a gap to exploit, but the Dragons’ defence held firm. 15 minutes into the half, Soncin sent on Dragoni and Cambiaghi, and it was the 18-year-old Roma player who gave the hosts a much-needed boost. Tiredness began to set in and Soncin made more changes with Merlo, Piemonte and Serturini entering the fray. The order of the day way, by now, pressure; Italy were virtually camped outside of Wales’ 18-yard box, searching for any way to carve out a chance. The girls in red did manage to avoid conceding a second but Italy came away with all three points, extending their unbeaten run to eight games. Now, we look ahead to Tuesday’s game against Denmark at the Stadio Picco.

ITALY 1-0 WALES

Italy (3-5-2): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Lenzini, Linari; Bonansea (77' Merlo); Giugliano, Caruso, Greggi (63' Dragoni), Oliviero (82' Serturini); Cantore (77' Piemonte), Girelli (63' Cambiaghi). Subs.: Baldi, Durante, Boattin, Piga, Severini, Beccari, Giacinti. Coach: Soncin

Wales (5-4-1): Clark; Roberts (82' Green), Davies, Ladd, Evans, Woodham; Holland (67' Griffiths M.), James, Fishlock (67' Joel), Jones C. (46' Morgan); Cain (82' Estcourt). Subs.: O’Sullivan-Jones, Middleton-Patel, Barton, Jones E., Hughes, Powell, Griffiths A.. Coach: Wilkinson

Goal: 5' Bonansea (I)

Referee: Kulcsar (Hun). Assistants: Vad (Hun) e Gutschi (Aut). Fourth official: Tschon (Aut).

Notes: Jones C (G) and Girelli (I) booked. Attendance: 4200