Italy’s eight-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 3-1 loss to Denmark on matchday 2 in the Nations League. In torrential rain at the Picco, where 1670 spectators were in attendance, the Scandinavians used their physicality to come out on top as the pitch became increasingly heavy. In the first half, both Giugliano and Vansgaard hit the bar. Then, after the restart, Faerge’s opener was quickly cancelled out by Cambiaghi, before Holmgaard scored a great solo goal and Thomsen sealed the victory in the closing moments.

This loss comes after an opening day win against Wales, and Soncin’s side will be determined to respond well in just under a month's time in Scandinavia. Italy will play Sweden in Solna on Friday 4 April before facing Denmark in Herning on Wednesday 8 April. Soncin had the following to say after the game: “It’s disappointing for the girls. There is a lot of regret because they put a real shift in against a really strong team. They were forced to chase us for a decent chunk of the match, and I congratulate the team for that. In the end, their quality made the difference. But for 75/80 minutes, we played the game that we wanted to. There are many more pros than cons to take from the match.”

THE MATCH There were five changes in the side that Soncin put out against Belgium. In place of the front two of Cantore and Girelli, the Head Coach chose a front three consisting of Cambiaghi, Beccari and Giacinti, while Bergamaschi and Boattin started on the flanks. The defence was unchanged, with Di Gugliemo, Lenzini and captain Linari lining up in front of Giuliani. Giugliano and Caruso were selected in midfield and tasked with giving rhythm, shape and also unpredictability to this Italy side. Denmark also set up in a 3-4-3, but, this time, Vangsgaard lined up alongside Harder and Thomsen in attack rather than Real Madrid’s Bruun.

The match got going immediately. With less than a minute played, Lenzini’s mistake gave Harder a chance to get a shot away, but the Bianconeri defender made up for her error with a firm but fair intervention. Two minutes later, the Azzurre had a great chance: Ostergaard miraculously tipped Giugliano’s 25-yard strike onto the bar and Giacinti converted the rebound, only for it to be ruled out for offside. From 15 minutes onward, the rain intensified and both squads felt the effect. Nevertheless, Vangsgaard had a golden opportunity as she headed against the bar from close range.

The first half ended without much else to note. Soncin made one half-time substitution as Cantore replaced Beccari, pushing the Azzurre forward. However, the opening goal went to Denmark through Fiorentina defender Faerge, who cleverly found the back of the net from the edge of the area. Italy’s reaction was almost immediate: Boattin’s inviting cross was headed home by Cambiaghi – her fifth Italy goal – to level the match.

In the 70th minute, Caruso burst into the area with an brilliant nutmeg, but her effort was then parried by Ostergaard. Three minutes later, Everton defender Holmgaard put Denmark in front with a clever Sombrero flick and finish which beat Giuliani. Ten minutes from time, Piemonte was not quite able to get on the end of Cantore’s tempting cross as Italy pressed for an equaliser. However, it wasn’t meant to be as Thomsen got on the end of Harder’s inch-perfect through ball to complete a lethal counter-attack.

ITALY 3-1 DENMARK

Italy (3-4-3): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Lenzini, Linari; Bergamaschi (78’ Bonansea), Giugliano, Caruso, Boattin (86’ Bonfantini); Cambiaghi (78’ Piemonte), Giacinti (59’ Dragoni), Beccari (46’ Cantore). Bench: Baldi, Durante, Filangeri, Oliviero, Piga, Greggi, Severini. Manager: Soncin

Denmark (3-4-3): Ostergaard; Troelsgaard, Ballisager, Faerge; Thogersen, Snerle, Hasbo, Holmgaard; Thomsen, Vangsgaard (66’ Bruun), Harder. Bench: Vingum, Brunholt, Obaze, Thrige, Kuhl, Kramer, Bredgaard, Fossdalsa, Holdt, Svava. Manager: Jeglertz

Goalscorers: 53’ Faerge (D), 58’ Cambiaghi (I), 74’ Holmgaard (D), 92’ Thomsen (D)

Referee: Rivera Olmedo (ESP). Assistants: Fernandez Gonzalez (ESP) and Mainer (ESP). Fourth official: Lopez (ESP).

Notes: Boattin (I), Bergamaschi (I) and Faerge (D) booked. Attendance: 1671

GROUP 4 SCHEDULE, RESULTS AND STANDINGS (League A)

Matchday 1: ITALY 1-0 Wales, Denmark 1-2 Sweden
Matchday 2: ITALY 1-3 Denmark 1-3, Wales vs. Sweden (20:15 CET)

Standings: Denmark, Italy and Sweden* 3 points, Wales 0*

Matchday 3 (4 April): Sweden vs. ITALY (19:00 CEST, Solna), Wales vs. Denmark
Matchday 4 (8 April): Denmark vs. ITALY (18:00 CEST, Herning), Sweden vs. Wales
Matchday 5 (30 May): ITALY vs. Sweden, Denmark vs. Wales
Matchday 6 (3 June): Wales vs. ITALY, Sweden vs. Denmark