The countdown has begun. Exactly two weeks remain before the clash that will decide whether Italy Women will automatically qualify for the 2022 European Championship or whether they’ll have to go down the playoff route. It’ll all come down to their match against Israel at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence on Wednesday 24 February, a fixture that was originally scheduled to take place on 17 September but was postponed due to the measures put in place by the Israeli government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

In addition to England, the nine group winners and three best runners-up will qualify Euro 2022, while the remaining six second-place sides will advance to the playoffs, where they’ll fight it out for the final three tournament spots.

Assured of second place in Group B, the Azzurre must beat Israel in order to avoid the playoffs. A six-goal victory would guarantee automatic qualification. If they don’t achieve this, Bertolini’s side would be reliant on favourable results from the other groups.

One advantage for the Azzurre is that they’ll know the results from the other groups when they take to the pitch against Israel, who they beat 3-2 in their first outing after the 2019 World Cup. In any case, it’ll be vital to prepare for the match against the Israelis as best they can, leaving absolutely nothing to chance. Milena Bertolini has called up 28 players ahead of the clash, with Durante, Salvai, Lenzini, Serturini and Glionna all returning after missing the team’s last training camp. Galli, meanwhile isn’t in the squad due to injury.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Roberta Aprile (Inter), Francesca Durante (Hellas Verona), Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Empoli), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Atletico Madrid), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo), Elena Linari (AS Roma), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Linda Tucceri Cimini (AC Milan);

Midfielders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Cecilia Prugna (Empoli), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (AS Roma);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Florentia San Gimignano), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Empoli), Daniela Sabatino (Fiorentina), Stefania Tarenzi (Inter).

Schedule (all times CET)

Monday 15 February
Players to meet at the Coverciano Federal Technical Center by 20:00

Tuesday 16 February
13:30 Press Conference (Head Coach)
15:30 Training*

Wednesday 17 February
9:30 Training*
15:30 Training*

Thursday 18 February
15:00 Training*

Friday 19 February
9:30 Training*
15:00 Training*

Saturday 20 February
15:00 Training*

Sunday 21 February
15:00 Training*

Monday 22 February
15:00 Training*

Tuesday 23 February
15:45 Press Conference (Head Coach and Captain at the Stadio Artemio Franchi)
16:30 Training (press access for the first 15 minutes)

Wednesday 24 February
17:30 Italy vs. Israel

* No press access