The setting has changed somewhat from the game in Rotherham. It’s a new opponent and an entirely new pre-match context, but our girls are still the same. After making the short trip from Blackburn to Manchester, Milena Bertolini and Sara Gama spoke to the press at Manchester City’s incredible Academy Stadium. Tomorrow’s match against Iceland is a must-win for the Azzurre if they hope to keep their quarter-final dreams alive.

Rather than beat them down, the heavy defeat to France has strengthened the Azzurre’s resolve. In order to move out of last place and gain some confidence for the final group game on Monday, Italy absolutely must beat Iceland as it will come down to head-to-head should the sides finish the group level on points. A defeat to Haldórsson’s side would, however, be a knock-out blow.

“We can’t wait to get out there and show that we’re not the team that people saw against France,” said head coach Milena Bertolini in the pre-match press conference. “I will ask the girls to be compact again, which we weren’t in the first half on Sunday and to play with some fight and pride. I will name the eleven players, who are physically fit enough to start because the tempo at a major tournament is really high.” Milena Bertolini will be able to call on the entire squad save Valentina Cernoia, who is still positive for Covid.

Iceland’s opener against Belgium showed just how dangerous a side they can be going forward. Iceland took 23 shots against the Red Flames (only Spain had more on matchday 1). Bertolini is familiar with this threat, given that Italy played against Iceland in two friendlies in 2021, winning one comfortably and drawing the other. “They’ve come a long way in the last few years,” concluded the Azzurre’s boss. “They’re a tough a really physical side. We’ll need to put in a flawless performance, so for that reason, I’ve worked on our self-confidence. We’re a good team and we need to show that.”

Sara Gama was also quick to state that – after many words spoken – the priority for Italy has to be doing exactly what they are capable of. “It’s been a tough few days but this group has come through other difficult moments,” said the Italy captain. “We need to take those lessons to heart and get going again. We need to be humble and compact, which has always been a strength of ours, and is something that you need in competitions like this.”