On matchday two in the UEFA Nations League, Italy attacked and fought for every ball but couldn’t quite overcome Sweden, who ran out 1-0 winners at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro thanks to Rytting Kaneryd’s goal. Despite the defeat, the Azzurre built on the positive things they displayed in Switzerland and certainly matched the team currently occupying first place in the FIFA ranking. After the visitors had taken the lead in the 14th minute, Soncin’s side tried everything, hitting the woodwork through Di Guglielmo and sending bodies forward without, however, finding a breakthrough. It’s been a promising start under the new Head Coach, who will now start looking ahead to the team’s next game against World Champions Spain on 27 October and, four days after that, the return fixture against the Swedes.

“I’m very happy about and proud of what I saw on the pitch today,” said Andrea Soncin. “The girls matched and perhaps played better than Sweden; we had ten shots at goal and found ourselves in their half of the pitch for long periods while not giving much away at all. A big round of applause should go to the team, who really are capable of doing a lot. We showed courage, and that’s the basis to begin our ascent. Our journey has begun in a very positive fashion, and, as a group, the girls have shown a great attitude. The prime example is Gama, who entered the fray late on and ensured that she was ready. These are the best examples for our youngest players.”

The match. The Head Coach made just one change to the team that started against Switzerland: AC Milan captain Bergamaschi came in for Bartoli, who fractured her nasal bone in St. Gallen. Sweden, meanwhile, were missing Blomqvist, Rolfo and Ilestedt, who were all key figures when the teams had last met just under two months ago at the World Cup.

Italy made a strong start and had the first effort at goal in the fourth minute, with Cantore firing narrowly over after being picked out in behind by Galli. At the other end, Blackstenius headed off target from a good position seven minutes later. Then, the Swedes struck in the 14th minute: former Juventus striker Hurtig burst into the box and, after a ricochet, the ball ended up at the feet of Rytting Kaneryd, who beat Giuliani with a left-footed effort. Di Guglielmo and then Piemonte both threatened as Soncin’s side looked to respond, but the Azzurre went into the break behind.

The support from the 2500-strong crowd in attendance only got louder after the restart. Midway through the second half, Sweden failed to clear an Italy corner to safety and Di Guglielmo let fly with a left-footed strike that hit the post. In the 69th minute, Soncin switched things up in attack as Girelli and Beccari replaced Piemonte and Giacinti, while Giugliano then made way for Dragoni ten minutes later. Sweden sought to defend their advantage but risked conceding in the 88th minute when a Girelli header finished just wide. Then, with time almost up, Beccari sent in a dangerous cross that no Azzurre player was able to get on the end of. Italy, who were applauded off the pitch by the crowd, will now turn their attentions to Spain knowing that, with this spirit, they can dream big.

ITALY 0-1 SWEDEN
GOAL: 14’ Rytting Kaneryd (S)

ITALY (4-3-3): Giuliani; Bergamaschi (92’ Gama), Lenzini, Linari, Di Guglielmo; Caruso, Giugliano (59’ Dragoni), Galli; Cantore (92’ Glionna), Piemonte (69’ Girelli), Giacinti (69’ Beccari). Substitutes: Aprile, Schroffenegger, Bartoli, Orsi, Greggi, Bonansea, Serturini. Head Coach: Andrea Soncin

SVEZIA (4-3-3): Falk; Andersson, Eriksson, Sembrant, Bjorn; Rubensson, Asllani (93’ Bennison), Angeldal (84’ Zigotti Olme); Hurtig (70’ Janogy), Blackstenius, Rytting Kaneryd (70’ Jakobsson). Substitutes: Musovic, Enblom, Nildén, Lennartsson, Ostlund, Anvegard, Kafaji, Rybrink. Head Coach: Peter Gerhardsson

Referee: Ivana Projkovska (MKD). Assistants: Vjolca Izeiri (MKD) and Elena Soklevska-Ilievski (MKD). Fourth official: Irena Velevačkoska (MKD).

Note:  Hurtig and Eriksson booked

UEFA Women’s Nations League, League A Group 4

Matchday 1

Switzerland 0-1 Italy
Sweden 2-3 Spain

Matchday two
Italy 0-1 Sweden
21:00 CEST: Spain vs. Switzerland
Standings: Spain, Italy and Sweden 3, Switzerland 0.

FIXTURES: 

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.