After taking home all three points away in Spain against the World Champions, a first victory in 21 years, the Women’s National Team want to finish off the job and celebrate second place in Group 4 of the Nations League. To manage this and build on the success in Pontevedra, Italy face Switzerland at the Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma on Tuesday (19:00 CET, live on Rai Sport). Italy will also have to hope that Sweden can’t overcome Spain in Malaga. A draw for the Scandinavians would mean that a draw would be enough for the Azzurre. 

To finish the campaign behind Spain, who have already secured qualification to the Finals (which also has qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics at stake), would mean the Azzurre can stay in League A, avoiding relegation and guaranteeing a better position in the draw for qualification to EURO 2025. 

But the verdict on the team goes beyond the result against the Swiss, who have already been relegated to League B. This team has already won the hearts of Italians thanks to its great performances. “Andrea Soncin’s great work is rediscovering the sense of belonging towards this shirt,” said FIGC President, Gabriele Gravina. “The Head Coach is earning incredible results, I congratulate him and all the staff. It has been a rapid rebuild, like for the Men’s National Team; in that case, the team triumphed as well. The girls have come together, showing pride and determination facing a very difficult group in which numbers 1 and 2 of the FIFA ranking are competing.” 

For the final sprint, the last 90’ of 2023, Italy will be counting on the support of its fans, with tickets that can be bought in Vivaticket shops and on the websites figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com until kick-off. “We are looking forward to seeing you at the Tardini to fulfil our aim all together,” said Michela Catena and Valentina Giacinti, who are continuing preparation at Coverciano with their teammates now. After having missed the first match through injury, the Fiorentina forward took great satisfaction in coming on for Dragoni in the second half, maintaining the Azzurre’s high level of unpredictability and creativity, helping to deliver the knockout blow to their opponents. “It was an emotional evening,” underlined the 23-year-old, on her third appearance for the National Team. “We really wanted to win, it wasn’t easy but I think the strength of the team was on show as well as the desire to not give up a single ball.” 

Catena, who still manages to find time for her studies in training camp, as she will soon be graduating in Communication, is wearing the Azzurro shirt again after her exclusion at the World Cup ("I didn't consider it a rejection, but extra motivation to try to do better and better") and certainly doesn't want to stop on the brink of success. "We will face Switzerland with an extra push and with a stronger desire to achieve another feat," concluded the number 10. "Each of us is ready to contribute. The secret of this team is that we all feel a sense of belonging and we can work and give our best in every training session.” 

Giacinti is also looking for another magical night and, after scoring two goals in a row against Sweden and Spain, is looking to repeat herself against Switzerland. “Two days ago, we managed to pour our entire heart out on the pitch, which gave us something more to bring home a historic victory,” pointed out the Giallorossa to the Rai microphones after scoring her 25th goal in Azzurro. “Our fragility and strength were contained in that final embrace. We received a lot of criticism after the World Cup but we wanted to make the people believe again and give joy to those who have always supported us. We only have one aim: to take Italy to the top. And now we want to go and get second place.” 

 

‘Shades of Azzurro.’ - As well as the Azzurre, the Museo del Calcio’s travelling exhibition will also be in Parma, at the Laboratorio Aperto del Complesso di San Paolo (Vicolo delle Asse 5). ‘Shades of Azzurro,’ the exhibition which is taking memorabilia that normally remains in Coverciano all over Italy, telling a footballing history, is making its next stop in Parma until Tuesday 5 December. Admission will be free and you can visit the exhibition - which opened on Saturday - on Monday, 4 December from 09:00. to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00; on match day, the exhibition will only be open in the morning, from 09:00 to 13:00. 

The Squad

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).

The Schedule

Monday 4 December
10.30 Training at Coverciano
17.30 Walk around at the Stadio Ennio Tardini di Parma
17.45 Head Coach + player press conference Stadio Ennio Tardini di Parma

Tuesday 5 December
19.00 Match ITALY-Switzerland (live on Rai Sport)
Delegation disbands following match

UEFA WOMEN’S NATIONS LEAGUE – League A, Group 4

Tuesday 5 December
19:00 ITALY-Switzerland
19:00 Spain-Sweden

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