Following a great performance against the world champions, the Azzurre now take on the top-ranked team in the world as they face Sweden in Malmö tomorrow evening in Nations League group 4. This second game against the Swedes comes just four days after a close defeat to Spain. It is sure to be a stern test but Italy are hoping to take all three points home. Getting a result would open the way to second place and confirm, once more, that Italy are going in the right direction.

 “We’re not settling for applause,” said Head Coach Andrea Soncin in his pre-match press conference today. This affirmation was a way to underline that now is the time to turn the work done in recent months into results on the pitch. “I hope that the team continues to develop in how we play, in their attitude and their confidence,” he said. “In the last two games, I asked the girls to just stay in it until late on and that happened. In my opinion, it’s a significant step forward because this group understands that there’s the chance to do great things, even against teams of this magnitude.”

To improve further, Soncin said that the players will need to “up the percentage of what they can control during the game”. Last month in Castel di Sangro – where “we deserved more,” Soncin added – they managed to do just that for almost the entire game before being punished for their first lapse in concentration. Now, the Azzurre will want to make up for the reverse fixture against tomorrow night’s opposition. “Sweden are a different prospect to Spain. They tend to dwell on the ball less and play more direct. They have a big physical presence and try to get in behind. In terms of ourselves, greater efficiency in the final third is certainly a point to work on. We’ll need to be aware of the counter if we’re to come away with the win.”

The construction of a clear identity within the group is going well, according to the coach. The aim, as Soncin stated, is to “make the girls understand that the spotlight is on them but that they can and should give something back to the team. I’m pleased because they’re all showing great willingness.” That goes for the veterans in the squad as well as the new arrivals, with the new-look staff working hard to get the players in the right conditions to play their best football.

Nothing is being left to chance; at this level, attention to detail makes all the difference. It goes without saying that team selections depend on the characteristics of your opponents and the players at the Coach’s disposal. “In our last two games, we’ve tried in different ways to get points. The girls left with a bitter taste in the mouth and this is important because it means that they know they’re able to mix it with the best teams.”

The team and the entire delegation in Malmö celebrated the achievements of Gloria Marinelli this afternoon at the New Stadium (where 12,000 spectators are expected to be in attendance tomorrow evening). The AC Milan forward – who is in an Italy squad for the first time in two years – graduated today with a Master’s degree in Sport and Management. Before today’s training session, she also discussed her thesis on administrative law in sports. This is an important personal achievement, which she shared with her teammates ahead of, hopefully, more joy on the pitch.