Italy's road to the 2023 World Cup began with a narrow loss against Brazil. At the 'Ferraris' in Genoa, in front of about 6,000 spectators, the Verdeoro came out as winners in the friendly against the Azzurre thanks to Adriana's goal at the start of the second half, in a match that - despite the result - gave good indications to Milena Bertolini. Despite the many absences and the resulting and almost obligatory change of formation, for large stretches of the match the team caused problems for South America's most successful side, who currently occupy ninth position in the FIFA Rankings. It was a balanced match in which the coach gave opportunities to her promising players, from debutants Cafferata and Polli to Filangeri, Greggi, Cantore, Glionna and Durante.

"The girls played a great game against an opponent of the highest level," said Milena Bertolini in the press conference. "The young players have great potential and today they took to the pitch with great enthusiasm, I applaud the whole team and the crowd, who were wonderful. It was a very special evening for us and for all women's football: there was a unique energy, I thank Genoa because it responded very well".

The match - The absence of a few players and the strength of the opposition led to Milena Bertolini implementing a more practical formation than normal. Instead of the usual 4-3-3, Italy took the pitch with a changed 3-5-1-1: in defence were Lenzini, Filangeri and Boattin, full of confidence after her first goal for the national team. Captain Rosucci was in the middle, supported by Greggi and Cernoia, while Bergamaschi and Galli acted on the wings. Behind Giacinti was Caruso, called to act as a link between midfield and attack.

After a memorable build-up to the match lit up by the samba of the Brazilian fans in the stands, the pace was set by the Italians, who were able to put Pia Sundhage's team in trouble early on with tight passing and quick attacking moves. The first real chance on goal, however, came from the head of Geyse, whose attempt after 16 minutes was met by Giuliani, preventing the Brazilian attacker with a small but crucial deflection. Ten minutes later, however, it was Kerolin who caused the Italian rearguard problems, but the 23-year-old attacking midfielder's attempt went just wide. Giacinti took advantage of her marker failing to track and came face-to-face with Leticia, but the Roma striker failed to take advantage and had her shot stopped, the number 9 neutralised.

The second half began with an ovation from the crowd for the entrance of Durante, who made her debut in the stadium she had gone to as a child fan. The goalkeeper, however, did not even have time to break the ice, because on the first attempt Brazil found the net with Corinthians' striker Adriana Da Silva, whose shot from the edge of the area found the corner leaving the 25-year-old from Genoa no chance. The 1-0 gave confidence to the Brazilians, who began to attack with more continuity and greater competitive spirit in search of a second. Italy suffered but did not falter, trying not to lower their defensive line too much to surprise their opponents on the counter-attack. Despite the difficulties, Bertolini gave a signal to his team by throwing into the fray Glionna, Cantore and the debutants Polli and Cafferata, who took over from Greggi, Giacinti, Galli and Cernoia.

The energy from the substitutions gave new life to the Azzurri attack and in the end, with precise crosses from the back, Italy came close to equalizing on more than one occasion, which didn't come by a matter of centimetres. Marassi, however, praised the desire and courage of the Azzurri and after the final whistle started a long applause to encourage the players, who despite the disappointment for the defeat could not wait to start writing the next page of their Azzurri history.