2020 begins for the Women’s Under-19 National Team in Torre del Greco, where tomorrow (at 14:30 CET) the Azzurrine will take on Sweden in the first of two friendlies against their Scandinavian contemporaries (the second match will take place at 14:00 CET on Thursday at Torre Annunziata).

SIENA, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Team of Italy prior the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Qualifying Round Group 8 match between Italy U19 and Slovenia U19 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 5, 2019 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
SIENA, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Team of Italy prior the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Qualifying Round Group 8 match between Italy U19 and Slovenia U19 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 5, 2019 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
SIENA, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Team of Italy prior the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Qualifying Round Group 8 match between Italy U19 and Slovenia U19 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 5, 2019 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

It will be a useful two-part test in preparation for the Elite Phase of the European Championship which will run from 7 to 13 April in Portugal, where the Azzurrine will play the hosts, Bosnia and Herzegovina and the reigning European champions, France. Like Italy, Sweden came second in their group in the first phase of European Qualification as they finished runners-up behind Belgium, against whom they lost 1-0 having smashed Armenia 14-0 in their opening game and then drawn 2-2 against Bosnia in their second. The Bosnians will be the first team Sbardella’s players take on in the Elite Phase.  

SIENA, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Enrico Sbardella head coach of Italy prior the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Qualifying Round Group 8 match between Italy U19 and Slovenia U19 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 5, 2019 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
SIENA, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Enrico Sbardella head coach of Italy prior the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Qualifying Round Group 8 match between Italy U19 and Slovenia U19 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 5, 2019 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
SIENA, ITALY - OCTOBER 05: Enrico Sbardella head coach of Italy prior the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Qualifying Round Group 8 match between Italy U19 and Slovenia U19 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on October 5, 2019 in Siena, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

The National Team had their first training session at the Stadio Liguori this morning, where the match against their Swedish peers will take place. Orobica Bergamo defender Martina Zanoli was also present, having been called up to replace the injured Helen Corrado.

The squad

Goalkeepers: Beatrice Beretta (Juventus), Camilla Forcinella (Hellas Verona Women);

Defenders: Paola Boglioni (Empoli Ladies),*Heden Corrado (AS Roma), Michela Giordano (Juventus), Chiara Pucci (FC Ingolstadt), Francesca Quazzico (FC Inter), Chiara Ripamonti (Fiorentina Women’s), Bianca Vergani (FC Inter);
Midfielders: Melissa Bellucci (Juventus), Anna Catelli (FC Inter), Sofia Colombo (FC Inter), Azzurra Corazzi (Fiorentina Women’s), Caterina Fracaros (FC Inter), Ludovica Silvioni (Juventus);
Forwards: Federica Anghileri (Empoli Ladies), Asia Bragonzi (Juventus), Angela Caloia (Harvard University), Margherita Monnecchi (Fiorentina Women’s), Silvia Zanni (Sassuolo).

*out of the squad, Martina Zanoli (Orobica Calcio Bergamo) replaces her

Staff – Head Coach: Enrico Maria Sbardella; Delegation Head: Patrizia Recandio; Secretary: Daniela Censini; Assistant Coach: Elena Proserpio Marchetti; Fitness Coach: Adalberto Zamuner; Goalkeeping Coach: Mattia Volpi; Doctor: Carlo Massafra; Physiotherapist: Camillo Piastra.