Italy face Jamaica with a chance to make the round of 16. Bertolini: "It's the most difficult match"

The Azzurre can qualify from the group in Reims: "The girls are focused, they know that there are a lot of hidden dangers"

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Italy face Jamaica with a chance to make the round of 16. Bertolini:

Beat Jamaica to make the round of 16. This is Italy’s objective for the match at the Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims against the Reggae Girlz. The Azzurre will have to ensure they avoid complacency against the side ranked 53rd in the world who lost to Brazil in their World Cup opener but they showed that they can compete and aim to make it through the group. Australia’s 3-2 win over Brazil means that all is wide open in the group and the mood in the Italy camp is that "We’ve not done anything yet."

"Our objective is to get through the group," said Milena Bertolini at the pre-match press conference. "I see that the girls are very focused, they know that this game is the most difficult one with lots of hidden dangers because Jamaica are a pot four side and don’t have the same reputation as Australia. They have very fast and physical players and these qualities can make the difference in women’s football."

The Coach wasn’t giving anything away about who will play: "I have an idea in mind but I’ll only decide tomorrow. I’ll see how the girls are, some are a bit tired and I’ll make my decisions." With qualification on the line, little attention is being to the fact that Gama, Cernoia and Girelli are a booking away from suspension. "The best team will start, I’m not making any calculations of this sort. When we started on this journey, Jamaica was the side we were looking to get points against to make it through."

Jamaica’s British-born Coach Hue Menzies praised Italy’s defensive organisation and Barbara Bonansea as an individual, also announcing that there would be some changes compared to the Brazil game. "I don’t know if they’ll change the system or the players," added Bertolini. "First of all, we need to worry about ourselves and how to impose ourselves on the game, from there we can evaluate the opponent during the course of the match."

If the Azzurre’s win against Australia was the main surprise of the tournament, it has to be added that a lot of results haven’t necessarily reflected how the games went. "Every game has been competitive apart from the USA one. The favourites have won but if you look at how the games have gone, I’m thinking of the Netherlands and Germany wins over New Zealand and Spain, something is changing and you can’t forget that the previous runners-up Japan drew with Argentina."

Sara Gama was also in attendance for the press conference. "We can’t look behind but ahead. We absolutely cannot underestimate Jamaica, there’s no danger of that happening however because we are aware of where we are and we know that we need to make the most of all our technical and tactical experience if we want the best to happen. The match tomorrow is vital for getting through the group, it could be a very important step."