Over three months on the sidelines, but with an unshakeable determination to play in her first European Championship. Following 13 March, the day of her shoulder operation, Giada Greggi found herself in a race against time to make it into the final 23-player Italy squad heading to Switzerland. Mission accomplished, both for her and for the entire team, who are coming off yesterday’s 1–0 win over Belgium in their opening match in Sion.

“It was a crucial win,” said the Roma midfielder at today’s press conference. “Starting with three points is always a wonderful feeling, and I'm happy with our performance. We started off a bit tense, but after we took the lead, the real Italy emerged.” The 25-year-old had followed the Azzurre from afar during their last four Nations League matches, chasing a call-up and the chance to wear the Italy shirt through a long rehabilitation. Yesterday, she finally pulled it on again, coming on in the 53rd minute. “There wasn’t much time to spare, and that’s why I never stopped. I think my physio hates me because I forced him to have dinner with me just so we could keep working together,” she added, laughing. “When I set my mind on something, I have to achieve it – and that’s what happened. I’ve never seen a group like this one, and I’m overjoyed to be able to contribute. I feel I’ve improved, and I want to demonstrate this.”

The joy of ‘Giadina’, with her boundless energy both on and off the pitch, is contagious and lights up the press room at the team’s base in Weggis, dampened by a light drizzle that has eased the recent humidity. “Thanks to Soncin and his staff, we’ve created a big family characterised by connections and bonds that we carry onto the pitch as well. Thanks to this team spirit, anything is possible – even winning the group – but we need to keep our feet on the ground and take it one game at a time. Now, we turn our focus to Portugal: it will be a tough 90 minutes. They have some great individuals like Jéssica Silva and Barcelona’s Francisca Nazareth, but, as always, we’re focused on our own game and our own identity.”

This is the mission for the Azzurre, who, after their morning session tomorrow, will set off for Geneva, where they will face Portugal (who were beaten 5-0 by Spain in their opener) at 21:00 CEST on Monday. Greggi and her teammates could book their spot in the quarter-finals if Belgium fail to beat the Spaniards. A win would be required, of course, a result that must be pursued with the same spirit that has defined Andrea Soncin’s squad for nearly two years now. The team are ready to chase qualification for the knockouts, something they last achieved in 2013.

GREGGI SPEAKS TO VIVO AZZURRO TV. After the press conference, Greggi also held an interview with Vivo Azzurro TV, during which she shared several anecdotes about her life and career.

First of all, she recalled the tears she shed after scoring her first – and so far only – Italy goal, which arrived in November 2019 against Malta on her second senior appearance (“when I still knew how to score,” she said with a laugh). She then spoke about her passion for the yellow and red of Roma. She inherited this love from her family, especially her older brother, who, as a fitness coach, closely follows her career, offering her both professional advice and more.

Giada draws inspiration from Messi to such an extent that she decided to name her dog ‘Leo’. Her admiration for the Argentine superstar is so deep that before every match, she watches his videos to get pumped up and fuel her determination. She even messaged him on Instagram before a Coppa Italia match last season (“but unfortunately he didn’t reply,” she added with her usual radiant smile).