Anticipation is growing for Italy vs Brazil, the friendly match that will be played tomorrow at the 'Luigi Ferraris' stadium in Genoa (kick-off at 18.30 CEST, live on Rai2), which will mark the beginning of the Azzurre's preparations towards the 2023 World Cup. "We will be playing in a stadium full of charm against a top level opponent, we cannot wait for the match to start," - said Milena Bertolini during the press conference on the eve of the match - "in less than a year in Australia and New Zealand we will find teams of this calibre; if we want to continue to grow we have to play against the top national sides".

Despite the numerous absences that will force her to alter the starting eleven, Bertolini believes in the qualities of the group and is ready put faith in her younger players who, thanks to the support of the senior players, are settling in well. For the team it will be an important test, full of challenges: "Pia Sundhage is a very good coach, by bringing her on board the Brazilian Federation has made a great acquisition," added the coach, smiling. "In the squad they have talented players, but now thanks to her the team has improved a lot also from a coaching perspective."

Like Bertolini, who before finishing the conference recalled that in 1968 the first women's league championship was won by ACF Genoa, Martina Rosucci is also looking forward to making her debut at the 'Ferraris', in a match - her 77th for the Azzurri - that will see her take the field with the captain's armband for the first time: "Tomorrow, I will have the honour of leading my teammates out, in this squad a lot of young players have been called up and I'm pleased to take the responsibility of having to guide them," - said the Juventus midfielder before the final training session - "every moment here is a gift, wearing this shirt is always an honour and it is right to try to pass on this spirit to the new arrivals. I am always excited to be here: training and playing with the national team is a privilege".

The Ligurian capital has responded with great enthusiasm to the call of the National Women's team, with more than five thousand tickets sold so far. To attend the match, they can be purchased until kick-off at Vivaticket agencies and on the websites figc.vivaticket.it and vivaticket.com (the stadium box office will be open from 14.00 CEST to 19.00 CEST). In the 24 hours prior to kick-off, a further increase in the number of spectators can therefore be expected, ready to support the team and colour the stands at the Marassi in blue.

In total there will be around 1,800 young fans in attendance – between students, school pupils, footballers but especially female footballers. In order to follow up on the ‘Education to Proper Cheering’ project that accompanies football schools during the national team, through the Youth and School Sector, the FIGC has distributed free tickets to clubs in the area and neighbouring regions, as well as to schools and sports associations in the municipality of Genoa.

As part of the promotion of women's activities, the Genoa match was also selected as the occasion for a 'Play Day' dedicated to the #UnGiocodaRagazze programme, which takes place every year throughout Italy during the 'European Week of Sport'. The 'Play Day' was held on Saturday 8 October in Chiavari and saw the participation of around 100 girls welcomed by the Liguria regional staff of the Youth and Scholastic Sector, also involving clubs Entella, Sampdoria, Rivasamba and Sestri Levante, as well as two Chiavari schools.

In addition, 10 October is International Integration Day and on this occasion the communication campaign 'Io vengo dallo Sport' (I come from sport) will be launched, which supports the 'Sport and Integration' project implemented by Sport and Health with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies. The initiative is part of an agreement, signed between the Minister of Labour and Social Policies and the Minister for Youth Policies and Sport, with the definition of a multi-year plan of events promoting sport as a tool for dialogue, social inclusion and anti-discrimination.