Concentration, self-awareness and a great desire to resume the journey interrupted a little less than three months ago following a historic first home victory over Germany. Yesterday, the Azzurre were back in training together at Coverciano to prepare the first two Nations League matches against Wales and Denmark, scheduled for Friday 21 February in Monza (18:15 CET, live on Rai 2) and Tuesday 25 February in La Spezia (18:15 CET, Rai 2)

In the usual press conference opening the training camp, the first of 2025, Andrea Soncin stated: “The passion that we feel and experience fires up our adrenaline ahead of the upcoming games, but we are totally focused on the present”. The message was received loud and clear by the players who are concentrating on the 90 minutes in Monza which will host the Azzurre for the first time in 20 years. Valentina Giacinti also knows it well, eager to be back in an Azzurre shirt like the rest of the group. The Roma forward spoke: “We are not thinking about the Euros, only about our next opponent. There are a lot of expectations on us because we played a big first Nations League campaign but our goal is always to do something extra. We can try to bring home many more victories and play for the top spot”.

The hunt for the first three points in Group A4 will commence in Monza, the ground where the 31-year-old - 80 appearances and 27 goals for Italy - put on a show during her time as a Milanista. She commented: “I have great memories of the derby and the games I’ve played there. I expect the Brianteo to be fired up, as it always is, with fans in the stands who can help us secure the result we want. We are united and aware of our strengths: in this kind of atmosphere, we can do great things”.

Great things such as those done recently (and not only) by Martina Piemonte who after missing out on the trip to Germany last December, is back in the Italy squad with goals under her belt - including the four against Inter - as well as big performances. She too, like her teammate, is spurred on by recent successes to live the retreat to the fullest. The Lazio striker commented: “Wales shouldn’t be underestimated. The next two games will be important and we want to show that we are constantly growing. It doesn’t matter who we play against, the key thing is to keep working well and face every game as if it was our last, with team spirit and the awareness that we’ve had in our game for over a year now. This is the path to go down to best prepare for the Euros, even if there are still months to go”.

TICKETS. Tickets for both games are on sale at Vivaticket vendors and online at figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com. There will be a deal for Under 18s and over 65s: you can go to both matches for only one euro! Those who buy tickets for the first match against Wales will also get a 25% discount on online tickets for seats in the Orange Stand Second Ring at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan for the Men’s Nations League quarter-final clash between Italy and Germany on Thursday 20 March at 20:45 CET.