A flight to Billund and a transfer to nearby Herning, and then straight onto the pitch to continue preparing for a crucial Nations League encounter. This morning, Italy Women arrived in Denmark, where, at 18:00 CEST on Tuesday, they will face the hosts on matchday 4 in Group 4.

Securing a first historic victory on Danish soil, where Italy have only managed a single draw in six previous meetings, would see Soncin’s girls draw level with Denmark in second place. That’s the mission for the Azzurre, who are fully aware that without all three points the chase to finish in the top two and guarantee their spot in League A in the next edition of the competition would become very complicated. “We all know how crucial this upcoming match is, but we’re also aware of how strong we are, so we shouldn’t feel pressure or fear,” said Annamaria Serturini at the end of today’s training session, in which Federica D’Auria took part. “We’re preparing with the utmost focus and with the help of the whole staff, also working on how to avoid certain situations where they’re particularly strong.”

With the match at the MCH Arena fast approaching, the Azzurre are working to fine-tune every single detail, focusing on the small aspects of game management that heavily affected the outcome in both the reverse fixture on 25 February and Friday’s match against Sweden. Italy ended up suffering late defeats, but they were matches where Soncin’s side showed they can compete with the best teams. “We managed to cause Sweden real problems on their home turf, showing everyone what we're capable of,” added the Inter forward, who earned her 25th cap in Solna. “Against Denmark, we’ll need to be more clinical when chances come our way and more shrewd in the closing stages of the match. But the unity and connection within the team - including the staff - is incredible. We train with smiles on our faces, and that helps us enjoy every moment and every game to the fullest.”

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), Federica D’Auria (Lazio), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Fiorentina), Elena Linari (Roma), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Milan);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Monaco), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Eleonora Goldoni (Lazio), Marta Pandini (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (Inter), Emma Severini (Fiorentina), Flaminia Simonetti (Lazio);
Forwards: Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), 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
Matchday 3: Sweden 3-2 ITALY, Wales 1-2 Denmark

Table: Sweden 7 points, Denmark 6, ITALY 3, Wales 1

Matchday 4 (8 April): Denmark vs. ITALY (18:00 CEST, Herning), Sweden vs. Wales (19:00 CEST, Gothenburg)
Matchday 5 (30 May): ITALY vs. Sweden (kick-off time TBC, Parma), Denmark vs. Wales (19:15 CEST, Odense)
Matchday 6 (3 June): Wales vs. ITALY, Sweden vs. Denmark