Following the convincing 6-0 win over Georgia, the Women’s National Team are set to return to action shortly for their sixth match in qualification for EURO 20201. Tomorrow at 14:15 CET, the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro will be the venue for the Azzurre’s match against Malta who are ranked at 103 in the FIFA ranking and they’re second from bottom after picking up their first point last Thursday against Israel. With Sara Gama and Alia Guagni unavailable, Milena Bertolini has called up Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo) and Beatrice Merlo (Inter) with it being the first call-up for the latter.

“It’s a vital match,” said the Coach at the pre-match press conference. “It will be the final match of 2019 and we want to finish the year with a good win. This group has developed a lot and I expect to see the principles that we’ve worked on for time. Team play, possession and short passing with the ball on the ground. We’ll be up against a side that looks to play defensive football but not like Georgia. Malta have some players in big leagues and they have quality as they showed in their draw against Israel who are a side that have put us and many others in difficulty.”

The Azzurre will be playing in Castel di Sangro two years after beating Romania 3-0 there in October 2017. This time, the team will be without the captain Gama and vice-captain Guagni. “I’ve still not decided on the starting line-up ad we have big players missing but I’m definitely not worried because I have 23 strong girls with quality and who believe in our journey.”

In the morning before the final training session, midfielder Gloria Marinelli met students from Agnone where she grew up. 200 local pupils took part in the event with Tonina Camperchioli and Annalisa Melloni from the local authority. In the afternoon, the Azzurre met the boys and girls who take part in sporting and education activities every Monday organised by the Federal Technical Centre in Castel di Sangro.

Tickets for the match will be available tomorrow from 10:00 to 15:00 from the ticket officers under the Distinti stand at the Stadio Teofilo Patini.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Roberta Aprile (FC Inter), Alessia Piazza (Milan);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo), Elena Linari (Atletico Madrid), Beatrice Merlo (FC Inter), Linda Tucceri Cimini (AC Milan);
Midfielders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Benedetta Glionna (Hellas Verona), Giada Greggi (AS Roma), Gloria Marinelli (FC Inter), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);
Forwards: Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Deborah Salvatori Rinaldi (AC Milan), Daniela Sabatino (Sassuolo), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

Staff – Head Coach: Milena Bertolini; Assistant Coach: Nicola Matteucci; Women's National Teams' Coordinator: Annarita Stallone; Secretary: Alessandra Savini Nicci; Fitness Coach: Francesco Perondi; Goalkeeping Coach: Cristiano Viotti; Match analyst: Marco Mannucci; Doctors: Luca Gatteschi and Antonio Ponzo; Physiotherapist: Daniele Frosoni and Matteo Cossa; Nutritionist: Natale Gentile.