Italy are in Parma and full of enthusiasm after their victory over the world champions. However, the joy the team experienced against Spain will have to be channelled in the right way during the final 90 minutes of their Nations League group campaign. At the Stadio Ennio Tardini tomorrow (kick-off at 19:00 CET), Andrea Soncin’s team will take on Switzerland with the aim of securing second place, an objective they’ll achieve should they pick up more points than Sweden, who will face Spain in Malaga (same kick-off time).

“Our aim was to be in with a chance of achieving something important going into our final game,” said the Head Coach. “We’ve managed to achieve this, and credit should go to the girls, who have got us to this point. I’ve always been confident because this group works with willingness and real determination every day.” Soncin also emphasised the spirit of his players, who, through their commitment, way of playing and attachment to the shirt, are starting to enthuse Italians again. “Our performances and results will allow us to reconnect with our fans. The architects of everything we’re doing are the players. They’re displaying a desire to grow and know that they need to earn the right to wear the Italy shirt every day; they’re aware that nothing can be taken for granted. Working with them is really enjoyable: this is a world I didn’t know until a few months ago, but I’m finding it really exciting.”

Excitement is something the Azzurre are no doubt feeling as they get ready to play in front of their home crowd again. Tickets can be purchased at Vivaticket vendors and the websites  figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com up until kick-off. “It’ll be a different game in many respects compared to our most recent outings,” concluded Soncin. “We’ll be up against a side that have a new head coach and beat Sweden last time out. It won’t be at all easy, but, as I said, I’m very confident.”

Sitting alongside the Head Coach was Arianna Caruso, who bagged the winning goal in the reverse fixture against the Swiss - Soncin’s first game in charge: “The win over Spain has given us real belief,” said the Juventus midfielder. “We’re ready to produce another big performance and want a repeat.”

Caruso was certainly in a positive mood, no doubt because of both her excellent form and the Azzurre’s fine victory over La Roja: “I think it’s only right for us to ourselves credit. It doesn’t mean that tomorrow will be easy, but we want to bring those feelings from the Spain game into the match tomorrow. It’ll be complicated, just like all our fixtures in this group have been. We’ve done really well, even if it’s been disappointing to drop a few points. We hope a lot of fans will turn up to support us at the Tardini; we’re looking forward to seeing a good crowd after this positive run we’ve been on.”

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Roberta Aprile (Juventus), Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Giulia Dragoni (Barcellona), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Sassuolo), Agnese Bonfantini (Inter), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Martina Piemonte (Everton), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).

UEFA WOMEN’S NATIONS LEAGUE – LEAGUE A, GROUP 4

Tuesday 5 December

19:00 CET – ITALY vs. Switzerland
19:00 CET – Spain vs. Sweden

Table (after matchday 5): Spain 12, Sweden 7, ITALY 7, Switzerland 3