An intense week of work has kicked off for the Azzurre at Coverciano with their first training session taking place, as they prepare to face Brazil in a friendly on Monday 10 October (18:30 CEST, live on Rai 2) in Genova. After having sealed qualification to the 2023 World Cup, with the win over Romania at the start of September, Milena Bertolini's side now start the process of preparing for the tournament with a prestigious home friendly with the Verdeoro, who are 7th in the FIFA world rankings and winners of the last Women's Copa América.

“We've got almost a year to prepare for the World Cup and our idea, starting with the match at Ferraris, is to set up friendly games against high quality opposition, because only in this way will we be able to get used to the quality of team we'll face in Australia and New Zealand," said Milena Bertolini in her press conference. "The next six months are going to be crucial in how we work with the First Team and Under-23s because the aim is to start integrating some younger players into the squad, giving them the opportunity of gaining some international experience."

For many of them, the opportunity to prove themselves may arrive in the game in Genova. Against the Seleção, several key players will be missing, with a long list of absentees, including Bartoli, Girelli, Giugliano and Schroffenegger, who are all unavailable due to injury. Replacing them, though, are Cafferata, Bellucci and Baldi, with the Fiorentina forward and Sassuolo midfielder being 'promoted' from the Under-23s, who are also in action against Spain and Belgium in the coming days.

The long journey ahead, that has started this week and will finish in the summer of 2023 with the World Cup, will need to be fared with courage and enthusiasm, characteristics that the Head Coach demands from her Azzurre players: "In this period, we're going to be working on our intensity in possession, on our identity and team spirit. The girls will have to give their all in every training session to find themselves part of the 23 players that will form our squad for the World Cup. Against Brazil, I'm looking for the qualities that have defined this group over the years, starting from our togetherness, being compact in our departments and showing we want to impose our game on the opposition."

Whichever way you look at it, Italy versus Brazil isn't, and never will be, just another game. Milena Bertolini is also aware of it and is hoping to see a great backing from the crowd in Genova next Monday, with tickets on sale from Thursday 6 October. "I'm sure the city will come out and support us," the Coach ended, "In achieving a second consecutive World Cup place, the girls have done something very special and it's right that they get recognition for that. We're going to face a side with lots of technical quality and talent, and are led by a Coach, the Swede Pia Sundhage, who brings organisation and a solid tactical base." 

Squad List

Portieri: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (Milan);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Federica Cafferata (Fiorentina), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina);

Midfielders: Melissa Bellucci (Sassuolo), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Everton), Giada Greggi (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);

Forwards: Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Elisa Polli (Inter).