After more than a year and a half of a forced stop due to the pandemic, the Under 17 Women's National Team returned to the pitch this afternoon to play an official match. The last time the Azzurrine took the field was in February 2020 in Lisbon for a friendly match against Portugal, then Covid came along and the ball was stored away in the attic.

In Novarello, an Italy side made up of girls born in 2005 and 2006 making their international debuts began the new era by drawing 0-0 with Switzerland, the first of two friendlies scheduled with their Swiss peers. The same result as the match between the senior male national teams played on Sunday, with the first half dominated by the Azzurri brand and the second half characterised by Swiss dominance. And while in Basel it was Mancini's Italy who missed a penalty with Jorginho, this time it was Switzerland's turn: Captain Noa Linn Munger tested the reflexes of Giulia Zaghini, the goalkeeper from San Marino who celebrated with her teammates as if she scored a goal.

Coach Nazzarena Grilli underlined: “Ours is a whole new team, and for all the girls it was their first international match, and they were obviously very excited. In front of us we had a very organised team: We did some things well, others less, what’s certain is that we have to work hard because the European qualifiers are upon us. I’ve picked up very useful information, this game will serve us for the future”.

On Friday at 10.30 CEST, once again in Novarello, the second test with Switzerland will take place, another important ninety minutes ahead of the first qualifying phase for the European Championship which will see Italy face off against hosts Sweden, as well as France and Wales between 22 to 28 October.