Tbilisi, Georgia’s fascinating and vibrant capital, will mark the starting point of the Azzurre’s bid to reach the 2027 World Cup finals. The hope is that the journey will feature four stages, the first of which comes tomorrow against Belarus (20:15 local time, 18:15 CEST) at the neutral venue of the David Petriashvili Stadium, which has been selected to host the first leg in round one of the play-offs.

“The players are in excellent shape and eager to begin this adventure,” Andrea Soncin said at the customary pre-match press conference. “They arrived in camp delighted to be back together, to pull on the Italy shirt again and to fight side by side for this ultimate goal.” It is a target the Head Coach often describes as a dream, both personally and for a group that continues to display remarkable unity day after day. “Throughout the week, I have seen the players looking relaxed and at ease. That atmosphere must help us focus on every single detail. We are preparing to deliver the best performance possible.”

This will be Italy’s first-ever meeting with Belarus, who sit 52nd in the FIFA World Ranking. The tie will be played over 180 minutes, with extra time and, if necessary, penalties to follow should the sides be level after the two legs. Soncin, however, is not interested in making calculations and is instead placing his full faith in his side’s quality and understanding. “We will face a team coming off an excellent campaign in League C. Physical and mental solidity will be key. We will need precision in our play and the clarity to read every phase of the match in the best possible way.”

Before turning his attention to the final training session, which will take place this afternoon at the compact venue on the outskirts of Tbilisi, the head coach looked back in an attempt to draw a line under the controversy involving Piemonte and Goldoni following last weekend’s meeting between Roma and Lazio. “These things happen on the pitch in highly charged moments. If you’ll allow me to say so, it’s also good to see derbies played with that kind of passion. Martina and Eleonora were teammates at Lazio and have also been so with Italy. I am sure they will find a way to clear the air.”

As direct and pragmatic as ever - qualities that allow her to marshal the defence with confidence on the pitch - Martina Lenzini also answered questions from journalists joining remotely from the national team’s headquarters. “We have two finals ahead of us between now and Tuesday,” she said. “Every detail will be important, and we will need great determination to get the result.”

Despite being one of the undisputed mainstays of Soncin’s tenure, the Juventus defender does not want to be described as a leader, preferring to let her performances on the pitch do the talking. “It’s an exciting time in my development, and I hope that will help me tomorrow too. The moment of truth has arrived… We are finally back together after four months and are determined to get off to a good start.”

This morning, the Azzurre delegation received a visit from the Italian Ambassador to Tbilisi, Massimiliano D’Antuono, and Deputy Head of Mission Fabiola Albanese, who met the staff and players to wish them luck. Suspended duo Arianna Caruso and Angelica Soffia will watch tomorrow’s match at the David Petriashvili Stadium - which will be played behind closed doors - from the stands, alongside the other three players omitted from the matchday squad.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Como 1907), Astrid Gilardi (Como Women), Laura Giuliani (Stuttgart);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Houston Dash), Federica D’Aurica (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Michela Giordano (Napoli Women), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elisabetta Oliviero (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (AC Milan);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Real Madrid), Giulia Dragoni (Chelsea), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (San Diego Wave), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Martina Piemonte (Roma), Elisa Polli (Inter).