The second day of training at Coverciano is one of awareness.

The work of the Azzurre continues at the Federal Technical Center in preparation for the two friendly matches against Ireland (Friday at 18:30 at the Viola Park, live on Rai2) and England (next Tuesday in Algericas, Spain, at 18:00 and also live on Rai2). After finishing second in the Nations League group, Soncin's girls want to continue their preparation for the upcoming European qualifiers as best as possible, aware that just a few months ago they achieved a prestigious placement in a group that saw them face the reigning world champions Spain (beaten 3-2 away) as well as Switzerland and Sweden, who finished third in the last World Cup.

But the awareness of the Azzurre also includes the fact that Friday will be Sara Gama's last match for the national team, the 'historic captain' of Italy, the fourth player of all time in appearances for the Azzurri, who will reach 140 appearances for the national team at the Viola Park.

Those who have shared many years with Gama, both at the club and international level, include Cecilia Salvai, her defensive partner as well as a teammate: "The field has truly bonded us..." Salvai emphasizes, letting a hint of nostalgia show in her melancholic smile, while not hiding that she "contributed to the river of tears last night" at the moment of the announcement to the team of Gama's farewell to the national team.

"It caught us off guard," Salvai continues, "but Sara is good at surprising us. Such a decision must not have been easy, but I see her serene. She will remain unique and irreplaceable forever, and deserves all our support in these days." Finally, a comment on the upcoming friendly on Friday against Ireland: "They're a tough team, especially physically."

A sentiment echoed by Giada Greggi, who emphasized the challenge of facing such an opponent: "But we are going through a positive period and we hope it continues," highlighted the Roma midfielder.

Therefore, Greggi, with a faint and emotional tone, inevitably touched upon the day's topic, Sara Gama's farewell to the national team: "We didn't expect it. Sara is a great leader, she has done so much for this team: I wish her all the best."

This afternoon, the Azzurre will have their second training session at Coverciano. Meanwhile, Valentina Giacinti – unable to continue the training camp due to physical reasons - has returned to her club, being replaced in the list of call-ups by Miriam Longo, who joins the senior national team group while remaining at Coverciano, where she was in camp with the Under 23 squad.

TICKETING - Tickets for the match against Ireland are on sale at authorized Vivaticket agencies and on the websites figc.vivaticket.it e vivaticket.com. Also, for the first time this year, the FIGC has decided to confirm the policy of affordable prices (tickets starting from 5 euros), with tickets priced at 1 euro for Under 18s and Over 65s.

NOTE FOR EDITORIAL OFFICES - Media accreditation operations to attend the Italy-Ireland friendly scheduled for February 23rd at the Viola Park are exclusively open via the FIGC online accreditation system at figc.getyourevent.online Accreditation will be available until 12 CET on Wednesday, 21 February.

List of called-up players

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina), Amanda Tampieri (Sampdoria);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Aurora De Rita (Sampdoria), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Elisabetta Oliviero (Sampdoria), Julie Piga (Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Giulia Dragoni (Barcellona), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Sampdoria), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);
Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Inter), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Miriam Longo (Fiorentina), Martina Piemonte (Everton), Annamaria Serturini (Inter).

The Program:

Tuesday 20 February                                                                                    15:00 CET Training (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Wednesday 21 February
15:00 CET Training (closed)

Thursday 22 February
13:00 CET Press conference with the coach and player at Coverciano
15:30 CET Official training MD-1 at Coverciano (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Friday 23 February
18:15 CET ITALIA v Ireland

Saturday 24 February
11:00 CET Training (closed)

Sunday 25 February
11:30 CET Training (closed)

Monday 26 February
10:30 CET Official training MD-1 at Coverciano (first 15 minutes open to the media)
15:15 CET Departure flight to Malaga                                                            19:45 CET Walk around at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras

Martedì 27 February
18:00 CET England v ITALIA at Estadio Nuevo Mirador in Algeciras                    After the match, return to Italy and dissolution of the delegation.