Italy Women’s final match before departing for New Zealand finished in a goalless draw. At the Stadio Paolo Mazza in Ferrara, the Azzurre weren’t able to break down a stubborn Moroccan side in today’s friendly, which marked the end of a two-week training camp. Italy - especially in the second half - had plenty of chances to score, but their opponents, who will also be involved in the upcoming World Cup (starting on 20 July), stood firm.

“After two weeks of intense work, we perhaps paid the price for missing a bit of spark,” said Milena Bertolini after the match. “We displayed some of the things we’ve worked on, but we need to be more ruthless in front of goal. However, we’ll get there. We played well in the second half, but we need to improve in terms of the choices we make; we selected the wrong option on too many occasions. We’ll work on these aspects until 24 July.” Emma Severini and Giulia Dragoni both made their debuts for the senior side: “Games like these help youngsters gain experience. Both Emma and Giulia did well.” After this evening’s friendly, Milena Bertolini will cut the size of the group further, with the Azzurre set to meet back up in Rome on 4 July. The day after, they’ll fly to Auckland, where they’ll be based during the group stage (their opening match will be against Argentina on 24 July). Once they’ve shaken off the long journey, the team will hold their first session in New Zealand on 8 July, two days before the 23-player squad must officially be handed in and confirmed to FIFA.

THE MATCH – Emma Severini made her debut in midfield, with Boattin down the left and Serturini looking to get forward on the opposite flank and support Piemonte and Beccari in attack. However, it was Morocco who had the first chance of the match: Jraidi broke through the middle and found Ouzraoui, whose left-footed effort went narrowly wide. Italy responded through their wingers: Boattin met Serturini’s cross from the right on the volley, but it hit Redouani’s back and went behind for a corner. Piemonte shot wide after good work from Beccari (13’), who didn’t quite connect with the ball correctly with her head in the 26th minute. Eight minutes later, Chebbak let fly from distance but saw her attempt finish over the bar. The same player then fired off target with her right foot with 39 minutes on the clock.

The second half started with seven changes, four for Morocco and three for Italy: Bertolini sent on Valentina Bergamaschi, Valentina Giacinti and 16-year-old Giulia Dragoni, who made her debut for the senior side. Just 20 seconds after the restart, Giacinti had a big chance to open the scoring from Beccari’s assist, but Errmichi saved with her feet. The same duo combined again in the 50th minute, only for Errmichi to thwart Giacinti again. Italy made another two changes after 57 minutes: Serturini and Beccari were replaced by Glionna and Bonansea. The Azzurre’s biggest opportunity of the game arrived on the 63-minute mark: after Caruso’s effort from Glionna’s cross had been blocked by Ait Elhaj, Errmichi produced a stunning stop to foil Giugliano. In the final 15 minutes, Italy, with Cernoia on the pitch in place of Giugliano, tried to score a winner but failed to do so.

ITALY 0-0 MOROCCO
ITALY (4-3-3): Durante; Lenzini, Orsi, Linari, Boattin (46' Bergamaschi); Giugliano (75' Cernoia), Severini (46' Dragoni), Caruso; Serturini (57' Glionna), Piemonte (46' Giacinti), Beccari (57' Bonansea). Substitutes Schroffenegger, Baldi, Di Guglielmo, Cantore, Filangeri, Girelli, Bartoli, Greggi, Salvai. Head Coach: Bertolini

MOROCCO (4-4-2): Errmichi; Redouani, Mrabet, El Chad, Seghir; Ouzraoui (62' Saoud), Kassi (46' Ait Elhaj), Chebbak (46' Badri), Chapelle (46' Lahmari); Tagnaout (75' Gharbi), Jraidi (46' Ayane). Substitutes: Zouhair, Arouaissa, Benzina, Boukhami, Amani, Mazrouai, Belkasmi, Bouftini. Head Coach: Pedros

REFEREE: Allayioutou (Cyprus)
ASSITANTS: Christodoulou-Demosthenous (Cyrpus) IV: Gagliardi (Italy)

NOTES: Attendance: 3,600. Booked: Linari (I)