Three months after securing EURO 2025 qualification, the Azzurre are back in action with friendlies against Malta and Spain on Friday 25 October (18:15 CEST, Rai Sport) at the Tre Fontane in Rome and Tuesday 29 October (18:15 CET, Rai 2) at the Romeo Menti in Vicenza respectively. Along with the next test on December 2, away to Germany, these games will allow Soncin to try things out ahead of a big 2025: from the Nations League to the Euros in Switzerland.

For the games against Malta, 87th in the FIFA rankings, and reigning world champions and winners of the first UWNL, Spain, Soncin has called up 30 players. The biggest updates include Francesca Durante and Eleonora Goldini being back in the side: the new Fiorentina goalkeeper has been called up for the first time since the 2023 World Cup whilst the Lazio midfielder, who previously made five appearances for the Azzurre, rejoins the side after six years.

This will be the third time that Italy have faced Malta, having won both games in 2019. It will be the second time we have played at the Tre Fontane after the 2-1 win over Colombia in April last year. In Vicenza, we will have a rematch of the clash that ended 0-0 in front of 5,500 fans ten years ago. The Azzurre count a positive record against Spain having won 12 of the 19 fixtures including the most recent, last December in Pontevedra.

TICKETS. Tickets for both games are available online via figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com and at Vivaticket vendors. Sales for the Rome game will end 24 hours before kick-off whilst tickets for the clash in Vicenza will be available on matchday (click here for more info).

MEDIA ACCREDITATION. Media accreditation for the two friendly matches is now open exclusively through the FIGC online accreditation system at figc.getyourevent.online. Accreditation requests can be submitted until 18:00 CEST on Wednesday 23 October.

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. In October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the FIGC will again support the campaign. As with the training camp for Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri side, the Auditorium of the Federal Technical Centre will be lit up in pink for the duration of the Azzurre camp and until the end of the month. Symbolic of breast cancer awareness and accompanying the journey of the mobile unit from Komen Italia (the national programme for preventative women’s healthcare), other iconic Italian buildings will be lit up pink for the initiative, beginning with the Colosseum.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Inter), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Bologna);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Inter), Valentina Bergamaschi (Juventus), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Fiorentina), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (Milan), Angelica Soffia (Milan);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Eleonora Goldoni (Lazio), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).

SCHEDULE

Sunday 20 October
Meeting at Coverciano

Monday 21 October
13:00 CEST - Press conference with Head Coach
15:00 CEST - Training

Tuesday 22 October
11:30 CEST - Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Wednesday 23 October
11:30 CEST - Training (closed)

Thursday 24 October
10:00 CEST - Departure for Rome
15:30 CEST - Press conference with Head Coach and a player
16:30 CEST - Training on MD-1 at the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome

Friday 25 October
18:15 CEST - ITALY vs. Malta
Return to Coverciano

Saturday 26 October
11:30 CEST - Training

Sunday 27 October
11:00 CET - Training
17:20 CET - Departure for Vicenza

Monday 28 October
12:30 CET - Lunch
16:30 CET - Press conference with Head Coach and a player
17:30 CET - Training MD-1 at the Stadio Romeo Menti in Vicenza

Tuesday 29 October
18:15 CET - ITALY vs. Spain