Time to bounce back, to not let Switzerland get away from us in the standings and also give ourselves some breathing space by increasing our lead over third place in the table. Tomorrow (kick-off at 17:30 CET) the Women’s National team will face Romania in Voluntari, on the outskirts of the capital Bucharest, in a match that could keep us in the race for the first place but at the same time to secure the second spot in the group, which would book us a spot in the play-offs for the next World Cup.

"There are three teams competing for the top two spots - head coach Milena Bertolini pointed out to the press: after Friday's defeat, we need a reaction against Romania, one which shows our desire for redemption. We aren’t happy with the defeat against Switzerland or with our timid approach in the match, which we played the price for; but we also know that when we do play to our full potential, regardless of who we play against, it will be tough for our opponents. We have to get going again from this game, back to our true identity: then the results will follow”.

The Azzurre finished training at Coverciano and then left for Bucharest in the afternoon: tomorrow the match gives them a shot at redemption and to immediately put their first defeat of 2021 behind them.

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (AC Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Roma);

MIDFIELDERS: Norma Cinotti (Empoli), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Maria Teresa Pandini (Inter), Flaminia Simonetti (Inter);

ATTACKERS: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Valeria Pirone (Roma), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).

Group G standings
Switzerland 15 (5), Italy 12 (5), Romania 9 (4), Lithuania 1 (4), Croatia 1 (5), Moldova 0 (3)