From strength training in the gym and training on the pitch, to work on tactics against Sweden. In Covericano, the Women’s First Team are continuing to work ahead of their two games in Scandinavia. Despite it being only their second day together, the side are already focused on Solna Arena, where on Friday (19:00 CEST, live on Rai Sport), they will play their third Nations League game against the group leaders

The defeat to Denmark at the end of February, who Italy will play again on Tuesday 8 April (18:00 CEST, live on Rai 2) in Herning, shook the team a little bit after having gone eight games unbeaten. However, they are ready to make up for it and to make the most of their quality. Elena Linari emphasised this to Vivo Azzurro TV, describing the atmosphere amongst the group. “This defeat was rather bitter, but we must get back going as best as possible to approach our next two games with bravery and utmost determination”.

Andrea Soncin indicated the team's path in his speech which opened the team’s second meeting this year, pointing out the aspects to improve in order to continue the growth of this Italy side. The defender added, “he has asked us to go into every games with decisiveness and freedom, with no fear of playing with the ball as we are a quality team, with some great individuals who can bring out the best of others”. The goal is to secure the first win in Sweden who currently sit sixth in FIFA Rankings. The Azzurre only just missed out on victory in their last games against Sweden at the end of 2023. “We have grown a lot since then, that draw allowed us to take a big step forward: now we should look to take it further and to secure all three points”.

From Linus to Emma Severini, who just like the Giallorossa has responded to Soncin’s demands: “we should hold high standards and try to improve day in day out, with our respective clubs and here with Soncin. We must keep growing and to think exclusively of the Nations League because we can take our success here with us to Switzerland this summer”. She is talking about the EUROS which the 21-year-old is already looking to play in, two years after her first World Cup. “Being here is every girl’s dream and I will give my all to try and win the EUROs with this team. There is so much chemistry in this team and so it will make everything better in a prestigious tournament”.

ITALY vs. SWEDEN IN PARMA. The Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma will host the second of two matches against Sweden. The date of the game was confirmed today: the Azzurre’s last home match of Nations League A, Group 4, will be held on Friday 30 May. Parma will be welcoming the Women’s Team for the third time, after a win in 2022 against Lithuania in 2023 World Cup qualifiers and then in 2023, they beat Switzerland in the first edition of the Nations League.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Inter), Camilla Forcinella (Genoa), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Bologna);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Juventus), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Fiorentina), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Milan);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munch), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Eleonora Goldoni (Lazio), Marta Pandini (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (Inter), Emma Severini (Fiorentina), Flaminia Simonetti (Lazio);

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).

CALENDAR, RESULTS AND TABLE GROUP 4 (League A)

Matchday 1: ITALY 1-0 Wales, Denmark 1-2 Sweden

Matchday 2: ITALY 1-3 Denmark, Wales 1-1 Sweden

Table: Sweden 4 points, Denmark and Italy 3, Wales 1

Matchday 3 (4 April): Sweden vs. ITALY (19:00 CEST, Solna), Wales vs. Denmark
Matchday 4 (8 April): Denmark vs. ITALY (18 CEST, Herning), Sweden vs. Wales
Matchday 5 (30 May): ITALY vs. Sweden, Denmark vs. Wales
Matchday 6 (3 June): Wales vs. ITALY, Sweden vs. Denmark