At the stadium where, in 2004, a generation of Italian talents starring future World Cup champions Amelia, Barzagli, Zaccardo, De Rossi and Gilardino won the European Under-21 Championship, the Azzurre are ready to face Germany in their final match of 2024. After matching Spain in their previous outing, Andrea Soncin’s Italy know they have another big test on their hands when they take on the side ranked fourth in the world tomorrow.

A mixed 2023 is now a distant memory for the team led by new Head Coach Christian Wück: Germany are in fine form, as demonstrated by their excellent Euro qualifying campaign (five wins and one defeat and their last two away matches (a 4-3 win over England at Wembley and a resounding 6-0 success against Switzerland in Zurich). “It’ll be a very useful test ahead of our upcoming matches,” said Soncin in an interview Rai Sport. “Germany are very strong, with individuals of the highest quality. When studying opponents of this calibre, you almost end up with a headache! However, we have the characteristics to cause them problems. They attack with a lot of players and, as a result, do allow opportunities. We’ll need to occupy the right spaces at the right time.”

The Head Coach is aware of the great progress his team has made but prefers not to dwell on the past. Instead, he likes to focus on upcoming challenges: “I’m happy with the relationship we’ve built with the players, who always show availability, enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility. The newcomers have integrated quickly, and tomorrow we will also give playing time to those who have played less so far. We have an excellent foundation, one which allows us to look to the future with optimism. We’re creating something exciting.” These thoughts were also echoed by Linari, who has been a constant in the side under Soncin (she only missed the 90 minutes against Malta): “We’re a united and determined group that loves this shirt and the wonderful badge we wear on our chests.”

After holding a training session at Coverciano in the morning, Italy will fly to Dortmund this afternoon before taking a bus to nearby Bochum, where they’ll get a feel for the stadium in the evening. Tomorrow, over 15,000 spectators will be in attendance to support the hosts. A loud atmosphere awaits, but there’s no fear, especially as the women’s game continues to grow in Italy and the gap with the best national teams has been significantly reduced. “We’ll approach the game like we did against Spain, trying to display courage and character,” concluded the defender, who is just one match away from winning her 108th cap for Italy. “We’ll go for it, all the while are that we’re up against a very strong side. These are the kinds of matches that allow us to raise the bar and prepare in the best way possible for the Nations League and European Championship.”

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Matilde Copetti (Parma), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Bologna);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Juventus), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Federica D’Auria (Lazio), 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), Nadine Nischler (Como), 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), Benedetta Glionna (Roma).