With a Cristiana Girelli penalty in the 14th minute of the first half, Italy came out victorious in Ferrara in the super fixture with the Netherlands, current European Champions and World Cup runners-up. A prestigious match that the Azzurre led for the most part, responding on the pitch to Coach Milena Bertolini’s expectations on the eve of the match, who had asked the group to show motivation and enthusiasm.

MATCH REPORT – The Azzurri head coach changed formation and opted for an unprecedented 3-4-3 with Giuliani in goal, Gama, Linari, Bartoli in defence, Soffia, Caruso, Giugliano, Boattin in midfield, and Cernoia, Girelli, Bonansea in attack. With this set-up, Italy could make the most of the wings to put the opponents in difficulty, who started tidily, but their legs were weighed down from their preparation carried out ahead of the Olympics.

The game began at a low pace, with the Azzurre putting in an excellent performance and showing their usual personality to the spectators at the Paolo Mazza Stadium in Ferrara. After getting a feel for each other, Italy had the opportunity to take the lead and didn’t waste it. Bonansea was brought down in the box in the 13th minute and a few moments later, in the 14th minute, Cristiana Girelli converted the penalty with a strong low shot inside the post, netting goal number 44 for the Azzurri in the process.

Eliminated by the Dutch two years ago in the World Cup quarterfinal in Valenciennes with two set pieces that marked the end of Azzurre dreams, Milena Bertolini's national team thus got one back over their opponents. They appeared below their standard, never proving too dangerous and put in difficulty when attacked, as in the 27th minute when a cross from Bonansea set up Girelli who missed her connection by a whisker. The only scare for the Azzurre came on 42 minutes after a misunderstanding between Gama and Giuliani, but the Dutch couldn’t take advantage of it.

In the second half, Italy always had control of the game, while the Netherlands were unable to capitalise on their possession. A dangerous chance for the visitors in the 55th minute, but Giuliani did well to parry Van de Donk’s sliding effort. In the 60th minute Coach Bertolini made her first two changes, bringing off Girelli and Cernoia for Giacinti and Serturini. The latter produced a splendid run down the wing in the 68th minute and set up Bonansea in the middle who missed the goal by mere inches.

In the 74th minute Rosucci and Cantore entered in place of Giugliano and Bonansea. In this last phase of the game, it became livelier, with a missed opportunity on each side. Before the final whistle there was time room for Lenzini to come on to replace Linari.

At the end of the match Coach Bertolini congratulated the whole group: “A prestigious victory - she underlines - it was important for us to measure ourselves against a strong national team, because these are exactly the matches that help us to grow and improve. Even if the Dutch have rested some starters in view of the next Olympics, it does not detract from the good performance of my team. We need to improve in some things, like for example in managing the ball, but I congratulate everyone, they have been excellent”.

The Azzurre’s second and final friendly match of this international window is scheduled for Monday 14 June at the 'WienerNeustadt Arena' in Wiener Neustad against home team Austria (16.30 CEST), in another friendly to prepare for UEFA Women's Euro 2022, scheduled for July 2022 in England.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Roberta Aprile (Inter), Francesca Durante (Hellas Verona), Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo), Elena Linari (Roma), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Angelica Soffia (Roma), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina), Martina Zanoli (Fiorentina);

Midfielders: Melissa Bellucci (Empoli), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Norma Cinotti (Empoli), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Marta Teresa Pandini (Inter), Cecilia Prugna (Empoli), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Martina Tomaselli (Sassuolo);

Forwards: Agnese Bonfantini (Roma), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Florentia), Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Empoli), Valeria Pirone (Sassuolo), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).

Itinerary (all times CEST)

Friday 11 June                 
10:00       Training
16:30       Training

Saturday 12 June                   
10:00       Training
17:00       Flight: Bologna to Vienna

Sunday 13 June              
16:30       Training at the WienerNeustadt Arena

Monday 14 June                   
16:30       Match: AUSTRIA vs. ITALY                               

Transfer to Vienna airport and flight back home.