There is a real enthusiasm that can be felt throughout the team, in the corridors and on the pitches at Coverciano, where the women's team have been training since Sunday evening, ahead of their third week of preparations ahead of the upcoming European Championships. The Azzurre’s players convey a real feeling of team spirit and a will to do their country proud by putting in some stellar performances. Francesca Durante and Daniele Sabatino spoke to the press today, reiterating the magical feeling amongst the group, led by Milena Bertolini.

"It’s going well, also because the facilities here at Coverciano are great," said Sabatino, the top-scorer in the previous women's Serie A season as she scored 15 goals in 22 games played. "I'm working hard because I want to make the cut for the European Championships. The group ahead of us will be exciting but difficult, and our opener with France in particular, as they will be against one of the favourites to win the whole thing. Having said that, I think the other teams are also afraid of us: I would put ourselves amongst the ranks that can go all the way in the tournament".

Francesca Durante also has a clear vision of the team’s journey and how to best approach the tournament. “We’ve worked hard and efficiently over the past few days. Our expectations are high and so they should be", commented the Inter defender, who then spoke to us about how the interpretation of her role is changing: "The goalkeeper is an ever-evolving role in the team. When I hope to show my technical ability nowadays, I don't imagine a good save, but an assist for a goal” she says, smiling. Similarly to her assist last season against Verona, when she turned provider for her teammate, Tatiana Bonetti.