It was all straightforward for Milena Bertolini’s Italy side at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito, where they won 6-0 against Georgia in front of 3,500 fans. The fifth consecutive win in qualification for EURO 2021 keeps the Azzurre top of Group B. Away from the result, the Coach can be pleased with the approach and excellent performance from her players, who were aggressive for the full 90 minutes. Italy took the lead ten minutes in through Linari, who isn’t letting up at the moment. In a 20-minute period, goals were to follow from Guagni, Girellia (fifth in five for Italy) and Sabatino (a brace). After the break, Rosucci found the net to make it 6-0.

“The girls did well,” said Milena Bertolini after the match. “They approached the game well and put in a good performance. We always look to move the ball and put things together and then it was normal to relax a bit in the second half.”

The only negatives from the evening were the injuries picked up by Sara Gama and Alia Guagni. “Let’s hope that it’s nothing serious but there are 23 players in this squad and they’re all important. On Tuesday in Castel di Sangro, we expect to face another opponent who play a closed style of football and our attitude will be vital. I don’t think we’ll have problems if it’s the same as today.” 

THE MATCH – Compared to the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Palermo, Daniela Sabatino came in for Valentina Giacinti, who wasn’t in top condition and she lined up alongside Cristiana Girelli. Behind them, the centre midfielders were Giugliano and Galli with Cernoia and Rosucci out wide with support from Bartoli and Guagni. Italy were playing in green for the first time and started strongly, hitting the post in the fifth minute through Sabatino who wasn’t able to finish after a good move from Giugliano, Guagni and Girelli. Five minutes later, Linari was able to head home her first international goal to give the hosts the lead. Just before the captain Gama went off with a hamstring issue, Italy extended the lead through Guagni, who made the most of the assist from Sabatino to head home. Georgia were on the ropes and Girelli and Sabatino were able to add goals. The latter's second was a magnificent backheel and made the score 5-0 at the break.

The Azzurre kept attacking after the break with Rosucci netting the sixth after being left alone in the penalty area. Soon after, Girelli’s effort from 20 metres out struck the woodwork. Italy remained in control with Georgia sitting back while looking to not concede any more goals. After making all their changes, Italy finished the game with ten players are Guagni also had to go off with a hamstring issue. On Tuesday, the Azzurre will be back in action at Castel di Sangro against Malta, who have picked up their first point after drawing with Israel.

ITALY 6-0 GEORGIA

Goals: 10’ Linari (I), 25’ Guagni (I), 27’ Girelli (I), 32’ and 45+1’ Sabatino (I), 52’ Rosucci (I)

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Guagni, Linari, Gama (30’ Fusetti), Bartoli; Rosucci (61’ Caruso), Giugliano, Galli, Cernoia; Girelli, Sabatino (55’ Salvatori Rinaldi). Substitutes: Aprile, Piazza, Bergamaschi, Marinelli, Tarenzi, Boattin, Glionna, Tucceri Cimini, Greggi. Coach: Milena Bertolini.

GEORGIA (5-4-1): Gabunia; Pasikashvili, Kalandadze, Sutidze, Tatuashvili, Raukh; Bakradze, Todadze, Matveeva (72’ Cheminava), Tchkonia (54’ Danelia); Chichinadze (83’ Danelia). Substitutes: Sukhashvili, Gabelaia, Kadagishvili, Chkhartishvili, Tsotseria, Khaburdzania. Coach: Levan Bajelidze.

Referee: Iuliana Elena Demetrescu (ROU), Assistants: Petruta Claudia Iugulescu (ROU) and Elena Mihaela Tepusa (ROU). Fourth official: Cristina Mariana Trandafir (ROU).
Notes: Attendance 3,500.  Bookings Pasikashvili (G), Totadze (G) and Raukh (G).