Italy racked up three more points on the way to World Cup 2023. In front of 1,700 spectators at the Stadio Teofili Patini in Castel di Sangro, the Azzurre celebrated a second win against Croatia and maintained their grip on top spot in qualifying group G. The evening was made all the sweeter by the return of Guagni and Pirone’s first goal for Italy.

Despite creating a raft of chances, Milena Bertolini’s team failed to kill the game off early as the coach had hoped. Bertolini, however, appreciated her players’ attitude: “Well played to my girls because they had the right attitude, especially early on. We dropped off a little too much at the end of the first half. After the break, we got back to playing like we know we can, even though we could’ve been more clinical.”

On Tuesday, Gama and co are in action in Vilnius against Lithuania, who are still without a single point after defeats to Switzerland and Romania.

THE GAME - Bertolini made three changes to the side that played against Croatia a month ago. The unavailable Giuliani and Bartoli were replaced by Schroffenegger and Boattin, while Rosucci played ahead of Galli in midfield. The attacking trio was a familiar one in Giacinti, Girelli and Cernoia; Bonansea was deployed down the right. Bertolini also changed the system, opting for a 3-4-3, rather than the traditional 4-3-3. In response, Stella Gotal – Croatia’s 28-year-old interim head coach – went with a 5-4-1 with former Juve goalkeeper Bačić and Hellas winger Verona Jelenčić.

Italy came flying out of the traps and scored with their first attempt. Cernoia latched onto club teammate Girelli’s cross and rifled home a prices effort from outside the box. Bertolini’s side were dominating the game and zipped the ball around the park with great tempo. In the eight minute, the Azzurre were awarded a penalty after Giacinti was brought down in the box. Girelli was made to retake the first penalty after encroachment from other plavers. She stepped up to retake the spot kick and coolly converted to make it 2-0, eliciting applause from the fans in attendance. Croatia reacted to the early double blow and went close through Gilbo, whose shot whistled wide. As the half wore on, the Azzurre dropped deeper and deeper.

The second half began with Guagni coming on to replace Bonansea, making her return to the team for the first time since 8 March 2020. Italy tried to regain the ascendency after the break and, after six minutes, missed an opportunity to go three up through a Cernoia free-kick. Immediately afterwards, Giacinti’s effort beat Bačić but flew just over the crossbar. In the 56th minute, Girelli made way for Pirone, who scored with her second touch of the football – her first goal for the Azzurre. The game wound on without any more goals but a raft of spurned chances for Italy, who are back in action on Tuesday against Lithuania.

ITALY 3-0 CROATIA (2-0 ht)

Goals: 2’ Cernoia, 8’ Girelli (pen.), 64’ Pirone

ITALY (3-4-3): Schroffenegger; Linari, Gama (68’ Lenzini), Salvai; Cernoia, Rosucci, Caruso, Boattin (80’ Di Guglielmo); Bonansea (46’ Guagni), Giacinti (68’ st Cantore), Girelli (56’ Pirone). Subs: Baldi, Durante, Bergamaschi, Di Guglielmo, Soffia, Galli, Cantore, Glionna, Serturini. Coach: Milena Bertolini.

CROATIA (5-4-1): Bačić; Dulčić, Spajić (46’ Čanjevac), Balog, Pranješ, Jelenčić (85’ Kirilenko); Gegollaj, Pezelj, Lubina, Lojna (85’ Zdunić); Gilbo. Subs: Filipović, Bračević, Kunštek, Taritaš, Jedvaj, Petarić. Coach: Stella Gotal.

Referee: Petra Pavlikova (SVK). Assistants: Maria Sukenikova (SVK) e Ivana Alezarova (SVK). Fourth Officals: Maria Krcova (SVK).

Bookings: Pezelj (C), Gama (I), Bonansea (I)