It’s the second full day of camp at Coverciano for the Azzure, in heat that serves as a reminder of the torrid conditions in which Milena Bertolini’s girls had to prepare for the last European Championship in England. And other than the slightly ‘milder’ temperatures – even if they do go beyond 30 degrees in Florence during peak hours – the mood in the Italian group does seem to have changed in the month and a half since the Euros experience in England.

Somebody who didn’t make the European Championship, also forced out through a bad injury last February, was Sofia Cantore. However, the attacker, born in 1999, does have a great opportunity in the coming days: managing to overturn circumstances that have got the better of her and, together with her compatriots, qualify for the next World Cup. “We are trying to put the disappointment of the European Championship behind us and rediscover the enthusiasm that has always made this group special,” said Cantore to RaiSport. “We want to make the finals of the World Cup because being in a global competition is the reason we work hard every day. My biggest dream? To win a major honour with the Azzurre.”

From a player who represents the youth and creativity of this National side, to an icon of the Azzurre, Elena Linari is a role model on and off the pitch. “We have to win these two remaining matches in the qualifying stage against Moldova and Romania so that we don’t miss the opportunity to qualify directly, without going through the play-offs. Taking part in the finals of a World Cup would be crucial from a footballing perspective, but also positive for the whole movement,” said the Roma player.

Given the unavailability of Francesca Durante, Head Coach Milena Bertolini has called up Juventus goalkeeper Roberta Aprile to replace the Inter shot-stopper.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Roberta Aprile (Juventus), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Angelica Soffia (Milan), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Flaminia Simonetti (Inter);
Forwards: Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Martina Piemonte (Milan).