Andrea Soncin’s debut in the Azzurre dugout started in the best way possible. In St. Gallen, Italy Women beat Switzerland 1-0 in their first UEFA Nations League match thanks to Caruso’s fine 64th-minute finish. Despite a late scare, the team deserved to win, displaying cohesion and putting together some excellent attacking moves. At the end of the game, the players and staff gathered in a circle to celebrate a perfect start to a new era.

“I saw a team that wanted to pick up three points at all costs,” said Soncin. “The girls fought hard and helped each other out. I told them that the substitutes were an example to keep in mind – first and foremost Girelli: they fought for every ball to secure a result that their teammates had worked to construct. This is the spirit that must characterise us.”

In the other Group 4 match, Spain beat Sweden 3-2 away from home thanks to Caldentey’s winner from the penalty spot in the 96th minute. The Azzurre’s UEFA Nations League journey will continue on Tuesday (kick-off at 17:45 CEST) against the Scandinavians in Castel di Sangro. Admission to watch the match at the Stadio Teofilo Patini will be free, with the Azzurre set to face a side that currently sit top of the FIFA Ranking and who beat them 5-0 less than two months ago. Italy, backed on by their home crowd, are hoping that things go differently in a few days’ time.

The match – Andrea Soncin sent out the team in a 4-3-3 formation for his first match in charge. Giuliani, who hadn’t played for the Azzurre since February, was selected between the sticks, while Lenzini and Linari (today’s captain) formed the centre-back partnership. Bartoli and Di Guglielmo were the full-backs, and joining Caruso and Giugliano in midfield was Galli, who was back in the team after missing out on the World Cup. Giacinti and Cantore lined up either side of Piemonte up front. As for Switzerland, who used the same formation, there were starts for Sow, who scored when the teams met in Palermo at the end of 2021, and Bachmann, the team’s leader. The players took to the pitch wearing wristbands with the message ‘Se acabó’ (‘it’s over’) written on them; this was to stand in solidarity with their fellow female players and all women who have suffered and continue to suffer abuse and discrimination.

From the get-go, it was clear that the Azzurre had the desire to put the disappointments of the recent past behind them. The team made a bright start as Cantore immediately dribbled down the wing and found Giacinti, whose shot was blocked by Maritz. After an early scare, the hosts gradually grew into the game without, however, testing Giuliani, who was first called into action in the 27th minute. Italy, who were keeping hold of the ball and mostly attacking down the right, were only lacking the final pass in a first half that finished goalless.

The second half started with an acrobatic attempt from Piemonte and a chance for Linari from a Giugliano corner. Cantore, meanwhile, was causing plenty of problems for the Swiss defence, who were being kept busy by Italy’s attack. Then came the opener in the 64th minute: the ball dropped to Caruso just inside the box and she produced a fine left-footed strike that finished in the top corner. The whole team celebrated together, with the Azzurre bench and the new Head Coach, who was clearly satisfied with his team, also getting involved.

The introduction of several players – Girelli, Glionna, Bergamaschi, Greggi and Serturini all came on – didn’t change the flow of the match, even if Pilgrim, also on as a substitute, hit both posts for the Swiss with an effort ten minutes from time. Switzerland piled forward during the eight minutes of stoppage time that were added on at the end, but Italy remained attentive to come away with a deserved three points.

SWITZERLAND 0-1 ITALY

Goalscorer: 64’ Caruso (I)

SWITZERLAND (4-3-3): Peng; Marti, Bühler, Maritz, Riesen; Sow (63’ Vallotto), Wälti, Reuteler; Terchoun (63’ Lehmann), Bachmann, Piubel (80’ Pilgrim). Substitutes: Schneider, Herzog, Ivelj, Egli, Xhemaili, Csillag, Mauron, Felber, Aigbogun. Head Coach: Inka Grings

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bartoli (71’ Bergamaschi), Lenzini, Linari, Di Guglielmo; Caruso, Giugliano (79’ Greggi), Galli; Cantore (71’ Glionna), Piemonte (71’ Girelli), Giacinti (86 Serturini). Substitutes: Aprile, Baldi, Gama, Orsi, Cernoia, Dragoni, Beccari. Head Coach: Andrea Soncin

Referee: Lina Lehtovaara (FIN). Assistants: Heini Hyvonen (FIN) and Tonja Weckstrom (FIN). Fourth official: Minka Vekkeli (FIN).

Note: Giugliano, Sow, Terchoun all booked

UEFA Women’s Nations League, League A Group 4

Matchday 1

Switzerland 0-1 Italy
Sweden 2-3 Spain

Standings: Spain and Italy 3, Sweden and Switzerland 0.

FIXTURES: 

Matchday 2 Italy vs. Sweden; Spain vs. Switzerland.
Matchday 3 Italy vs. Spain; Sweden vs. Switzerland. 
Matchday 4 Sweden vs. Italy; Switzerland vs. Spain
Matchday 5  Spain vs. Italy, Switzerland vs. Sweden. 
Matchday 6  Spain vs. Sweden, Italy vs. Switzerland.