The 2022 Women’s European Championships kicked off last night as the opening ceremony lit up a full Old Trafford, which then saw the hosts England beat Austria 1-0. At the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ in Manchester, the 13th edition of the tournament was officially opened. On Sunday at 21:00 (CEST) in Rotherham, it will be the turn of the Azzurre, who open up their campaign in difficult fashion against one of the tournament favourites, France. The other match in Group D will see Iceland face Belgium.

It’s a difficult start but not one that puts fear into this Italy team. Milena Bertolini’s squad thrive on this type of challenge and are ready to make the entire country fall in love with them again, just as they did in their extraordinary run in the 2019 World Cup Finals. The hope, objective and dream of the players is to get out of the group and move on to the knock-out stages, which is not an unfamiliar or unreachable aim after finishing second in their group in 1993 and 1997. The team are once again ready to be the surprise package of the tournament.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm and happiness around mixed in with the right dose of calmness” – said Milena Bertolini in the first press conference organised in Blackburn – “We’re participating in a wonderful competition. The girls are raring to go and want to challenge themselves against the best. We have been welcomed in the best possible way, since arriving in England, and we feel the affection and support of Italy; we want to repay them back giving it our all”

Many things have changed since the World Cup in France. The Italian movement has grown exponentially and the Azzurre have had to learn to live with more pressure on their backs. “We’re very proud of how women’s football in Italy is progressing” – added the Head Coach at her first European Championships leading the team – “seeing the changes from inside the organisation these last few years has been wonderful. All the other nations know us now so we have to go out and show belief, and try to go one step further than we have done in the past, which won’t be easy, obviously. But the difficulties that we will surely face on our journey mustn’t dampen the girls’ enthusiasm. I’m certain we will be ready”. In closing, Bertolini also spoke about the next opponent’s France: “They are a great team, one of the favourites to lift the trophy, alongside England and Spain. We will go and play our game, working as a team and try to show our collective and individual technical abilities”.

Also answering questions from journalists with the Head Coach was Lisa Boattin, who had an extraordinary year being awarded the best player of the season. “The game against France is still a few days away but the tension is starting to be felt” – the Juventus full-back said – “It’s been an intense period, we can’t wait to just get started really. I have learnt so much this season, our Champions League run has taught me to control my emotions in the best possible way. Here in this squad, we have a really tight-knit group, we help each other on and off the field and I’d say this was probably our secret ingredient”.

Even though she has only just turned 22, Boattin was one of the leading figures at the World Cup in France in 2019, and despite still being so young, she should be considered as one of the veterans of the group with 39 appearances behind her back. “We don’t set ourselves limits, we will face everyone head on and try to go as far as possible” – the player said, before her afternoon training session in Accrington – “after the World Cup, there has been huge development for women’s football in Italy, and for us as a team. I know I’m an important member for the team and I want to repay that faith given to me by the Head Coach and my teammates. Together, we want to demonstrate to everyone the love and passion we have for this sport. We have taken some huge steps forward recently, just look at the historical move to becoming full-time professionals, for example. Even if it’s only a starting point, it shows that if we stay united and stick together, we can do great things, in sport but also in society”.