The Azzurre will want to build upon their good performances in the Algarve Cup and against Lithuania as they head into the match that will likely decide who finishes top of the group in World Cup qualifying. Italy's aim is to beat hosts Switzerland at Thun's Stockhorn Arena tomorrow night and overtake the Swiss to claim top spot in group B, making direct qualification for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand in 2023 all the more real.

Thanks to the rampant win in Parma on Friday and Switzerland's draw with Romania, the Azzurre are now just one point behind Niels Nielsen's side and, despite losing the reverse fixture, can go into this one without the need to think about goal difference and just focus on the only thing that matters: winning. "With a win, we'd have a great chance of making it to the World Cup," said Italy Women's head coach Milena Bertolini before the final training session of the current international window. "We all want to play in another World Cup and, therefore, we know what's at stake. We need to be united, compact and energetic all over the pitch."

Slightly less than five months ago, in the 2-1 defeat in Palermo, Italy were punished by the numerous absentees out with Covid as the Azzurre were forced to change their entire approach to the game. It's a vastly different prospect his time out though as Switzerland's recent loss has filled the Azzurre with confidence. "The reverse fixture was played at a bad time for us," Bertolini explained. "We weren't calm and we had a few worries given all that happened with the Covid cases in the squad but it's totally different now. We need to have confidence in our own ability and play with enthusiasm. Switzerland drawing has given us that extra boost but it doesn't change anything for us as we still need to win."

As well as talking about the strength of Bachmann and Co, Sara Gama also outlined the importance of getting off to a good start. "We need to approach this game in the best way possible", she said, "not like we did in Palermo. We're a better team now and we're ready for this match. The win in Parma was an important one as well played well and scored a hatful. Then, we heard that Switzerland drew 1-1, which meant that we go into tomorrow's game with every chance of getting a result."