With the friendly against Austria, which will be played tomorrow at the 'WienerNeustadt Arena' in WienerNeustad (16:30 CEST Kick-Off), the season ends for the National Women's team. After the match against the European champions, the Netherlands, which Italy won, this match forms further preparation for UEFA Women's Euro 2022, scheduled for July 2022 in England.

In the small town of WienerNeustad, surrounded by greenery about half an hour's drive from Vienna, the Azzurre are preparing for the last fixture, waiting to open a new chapter with the 2023 World Cup qualifiers in September.

On the eve of the match, Milena Bertolini commented: “We have to expect another challenging game. Austria don’t have the same power as the Netherlands. They are perhaps a national team with lower technical quality, but they are very physical and aggressive, with a great intensity of play. Among other things, they have climbed many positions in the rankings thanks to consistent performances, proving to be a constantly growing reality”.

The head-to-head between Italy and Austria sees three Italian victories and a draw in the four matches previously played, the draw coming most recently on 7 March 2016 in a friendly match that ended 0-0. Tomorrow it will be a different Italy than the one seen against the Netherlands. The coach will use the opportunity to see the younger players at work and study new solutions: “These friendlies are a great opportunity for the young women who will have the opportunity to play, but also for me who will be able to evaluate the growth rate of those girls who are part of the group and who have highlighted themselves during the season. To see if they manage to fit into the group and in what way, after all my team is made up of a very welcoming group and is open to everyone”.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Roberta Aprile (Inter), Francesca Durante (Hellas Verona), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo), Elena Linari (Roma), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Angelica Soffia (Roma), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina), Martina Zanoli (Fiorentina);

Midfielders: Melissa Bellucci (Empoli), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Norma Cinotti (Empoli), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Cecilia Prugna (Empoli), Martina Tomaselli (Sassuolo);

Forwards: Agnese Bonfantini (Roma), Sofia Cantore (Florentia), Benedetta Glionna (Empoli), Valeria Pirone (Sassuolo), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).