One hundred days until the World Cup. With the friendly against Colombia scheduled for tomorrow at 16:30 CEST at the Tre Fontane stadium in Rome, the Azzurre enter a delicate part of the build-up to the competition that will begin on 20 July. A little more than three months to iron out the last details, something that has been done successfully during this week of work at Coverciano, ahead of the final game before the start of the global competition.

"These have been very useful days in which we have had the opportunity to consolidate the technical and tactical aspects on which we have been concentrating for some time," said Milena Bertolini. "I am satisfied with the way the girls have trained and also with the fitness tests they have taken, which will give us a great help in our preparation." Tomorrow in the test against the Colombians, who sit twenty-sixth in the FIFA Rankings and just put in an excellent performance against France, who came from a two-goal disadvantage to get the better of the South American outfit, the coach will be able to count on her entire squad, with the exception of Simonetti, who returned to Milan yesterday due to a calf muscle problem. Rather than concentrating on the players and the starting form, Milena Bertolini emphasises the importance of team spirit: "The choice to face Colombia was not by coincidence," she added, "in terms of characteristics they resemble many of the opponents we will face this summer: I expect 90 minutes of great physicality, we will have to remain concentrated until the final whistle, tactically but also from the point of view of patience."

Winning the game that marks the national team's return to Rome after 20 years would be a great confidence boost in view of the final sprint. The departure for New Zealand is just around the corner, and the team wants to be ready once again: "It will be a beautiful event, an incredible opportunity for us, we will have to enjoy this experience and show the passion that has always distinguished us. I am certain that we will give everything we have."

Tomorrow will mark the return to the Azzurre for Sara Gama, back at the coach's disposal after nine months of absence. "I have missed playing for this team, the national team is home for me - underlined the Italian captain - after the European Championships I worked a lot and now I am back on track. In this period the team has had some good and not so good things, I believe that in order to obtain great results and take off some pressure it is essential to get back to having fun together. I expect a great response from the public in Rome, who also thanks to the excellent results of the Giallorossi are getting more and more into women's football."

Before kick-off, FIGC general secretary Marco Brunelli will present Cristiana Girelli with an award for her 100 appearances for the national team, an extraordinary goal reached in February during the match in the Arnold Clark Cup against Belgium. Her club and national team-mate Martina Rosucci will also be there at the Tre Fontane: the Juventus midfielder, who less than a month ago underwent an operation to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, momentarily changes roles, moving from the midfield to the commentary booth. In fact, she will be the 'second voice' to narrate the emotions of Italy vs. Colombia, a match that will be broadcast live streaming on figc.it, on the Figc YouTube channel and on the Facebook and Twitter pages of the National Women's team, where it will also be possible to follow the extensive pre-match coverage with guests, interviews and live pitch-side updates.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (Milan);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Sara Gama (Juventus), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Benedetta Orsi (Sassuolo), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Matilde Pavan (Como Women);
Attackers: Chiara Beccari (Como Women), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Martina Piemonte (Milan), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).