The moment of truth has finally come. Tomorrow the Azzurre make their debut in the World Cup, taking on Argentina in front of approximately 22,000 spectators at Eden Park, Auckland (kick-off at 08:00 CEST, coverage on Rai 1 from 07:30 CEST). The Women’s Team - who had their final training session at the North Harbour Stadium - cannot wait to play, to show that the team have shed their disappointment from Euro 2022 and are ready to deliver a spectacle, to the Italian fans and beyond.

“I’m expecting a very challenging game - said Milena Bertolini in the press conference - it won’t be easy because Argentina have both technical and mentally strong players. Our attitude will be important, we need to trust our quality. Looking at the course of the last few weeks and the excellent performance in the friendly match with New Zealand, the team has perfectly understood the demands of the coach, who adds: "In the last few training sessions we have found some tricks to face up to and challenge our opponents. We will have to be pragmatic, always trying to do the best and most simple thing, especially in front of goal. The emotional aspect is important in these matches, so it is better to play with simplicity.” Arianna Caruso, who has fully recovered from her right knee hyperextension injury, will also be involved.

Milena Bertolini has guided the team to their second consecutive qualification to the final phase of the World Cup for the first time in the Azzurre’s history. However, Italy cannot rest on these laurels. Among the 23 players called up, there are many young players (only 10 were in the squad four years ago in France), the rebuild has well and truly started. Italy must remain well anchored to the present to live this colourful adventure to its best. "This tournament must give continuity to our growth process. It is a path we started in 2019, so it is still a new movement. It is therefore important that we do well to bring more and more people into women’s football.”

Cristiana Girelli, the captain and leader sat beside her coach at the press conference and explained to the reporters how she viewed the group during the long training camp: “Starting tomorrow, I expect the team to show what it has shown in the last month of preparation. We are all very concentrated, every one of us knows very well what it means to be here, we are very aware. In my years, I have won with teams that above anything else, were real groups. The 2019 World Cup is the most obvious example of this, it wasn’t just the 11 players on the pitch, but the entire 23. Whoever sat on the bench was always next to us. I expect to find this spirit again because I believe it is fundamental.

Ten years in Azzurro colours with 104 appearances, the Juventus attacker is nothing short of an expert on the upcoming mission. She knows very well that there are no guarantees at this stage, highlighted by Sweden’s hard-fought victory in the other Group G match. Ilestedt’s 88th-minute goal secured a 2-1 victory for the Swedes. Cristiana Girelli is familiar with Argentina’s strength - which she saw at the France World Cup - and has warned her teammates: “We’re in a tough group and this is a highly competitive competition. Tomorrow’s match is very important, but not decisive. We face a South American team, and we know their character and intensity, which, when combined with technique, can be a very dangerous weapon. It will be a difficult match also in terms of keeping our heads, but we are preparing well and we hope to face it in the best possible way.

To win and celebrate together with my teammates, this is the captain’s aim, who, after emphasising that she would play in any position for this jersey (“I feel lucky to know that the coach also views me in another position, it allows me to grow and learn new things”), has launched an appeal to the fans: “Follow us, I know it will be hard to wake up early, but we will make it worth your while.”