A painful defeat, despite a well-played match for the Azzurre as they dominated and conceded very little to Sweden. In front of 6,000 fans who filled the stands at the Stadio Oreste Granillo, the Women’s National Team lost 1–0 in their opening World Cup qualifier, paying a heavy price for the only real chance for the Swedish side. After Angeldahl’s strike in the 22nd minute, Italy found their momentum, especially in the second half, pressing consistently into Sweden’s box as Cambiaghi hit the woodwork as well as on several other occasions when the Azzurre came close to equalising.

Andrea Soncin commented after the match, “There’s a lot that we could have done differently, but I’m proud of the team’s performance. They were able to bring joy to the fans, who I want to thank for their unwavering support and the warmth they showed us from the moment we came to Reggio Calabria. In the first half, despite dominating possession, we were just in a slight frenzy. The girls need to understand that they can manage matches with more patience, but I have nothing to worry about with this group.”

The race for first place in the group now becomes more complicated, but there is still hope. On Saturday in Vicenza, Denmark, who are coming off the back of a 3-1 win over Serbia, will take on the Azzurre, who will be looking for an immediate response to revive their hopes of securing direct qualification for the World Cup. With the spirit shown today, and with the support of Stadio Romeo Menti behind them (tickets on sale via Vivaticket), everything is still to play for.

 

THE MATCH. With the end-of-year friendlies gone, Andrea Soncin returned to his trusted XI, naming several of the squad’s most experienced players in the starting line-up. The Azzurre were set up in a 4-5-1, with Laura Giuliani at the back, protected by a defensive line featuring Lisa Di Guglielmo, Martina Lenzini, captain Elena Linari, making her 125th appearance for the Azzurre, and Elisabetta Oliviero. Out wide, Barbara Bonansea and Sofia Cantore supported Michela Cambiaghi, who was the squad’s main attacking force. In midfield, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, and Giada Severini completed a balanced and hard-working trio.

 

With the support of the Granillo spurring them on, Italy began on the front foot and in the sixth minute came close to scoring through a free-kick from Linari, which flew past the top corner of the goal. After a fairly equal-footed few minutes, the visitors found momentum, and took the lead through a low strike from Filippa Angeldahl halfway through the first half. It was skilful and fortunate; her shot slipped under Martina Lenzini’s legs and wrong-footed Laura Giuliani, completing a fine counter-attack which came from a poor Italian clearance. Italy reacted immediately but were unable to respond, thanks to Sweden’s tight back line, which let no gaps go unnoticed.

The half-time performance by Baby K re-energised the home support, and at the start of the second half, the crowd roared once more, driving Andrea Soncin’s side in search of an equaliser. The perfect opportunity came in the 60th minute from a free kick swung in from deep. Manuela Giugliano delivered a perfect cross to Michela Cambiaghi, who rose highest and beat the goalkeeper to the ball, only to be denied by the post. It would have been her sixth goal for the national team. Soon after, Cambiaghi came on for Chiara Beccari, while Martina Piemonte also entered the field. In the final 15 minutes, the coach turned to the energy of Giada Greggi, Giulia Dragoni, and Cristiana Girelli, who was met with a standing ovation from the stands.

 

Italy gave it their all and, just a minute from full time, came close once again to making it 1–1. In a crowded penalty area, Giulia Dragoni’s header was brilliantly deflected for a corner by Jonna Andersson. It was a rough defeat, but one that still keeps the Azzurre’s hopes alive. They left the pitch to warm applause, aware that they had given it their all today.

 

ITALY 0-1 SWEDEN

ITALY (4-5-1): Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Lenzini, Linari, Oliviero; Bonansea (84’ Girelli), Caruso, Giugliano (84’ Dragoni), Severini (75’ Greggi), Cantore (61’ Piemonte); Cambiaghi (61’ Beccari). Substitutes: Baldi, Durante, Bergamaschi, D’Auria, Salvai, Soffia, Glionna. Coach: Soncin

SWEDEN (4-3-3): Falk; Holmberg, Andrersson, Junttila Nelhage, Lundkvist; Angeldahl, Asllani, Zigiotti Olme; Rytting Kaneryd (86’ Ijeh), Schröder (69’ Blomqvist), Jusu Bah (75’ Rölfo). Substitutes: Ohman, Enblom, Nilden, Reidy, Vinberg, Kafaji, Wijk, Bennison, Blomqvist. Coach: Almgren

Referee: Olatz Olmedo (SPA); Assistant Referees: Iragartze Fernández Esesúmaga (SPA), Eliana Fernández González (SPA); Fourth Official: Beatriz Cuesta Arribas (SPA)

Goal: 22’ Angeldahl (S)

Note: Spectators 6,008.
Yellow Cards: Di Guglielmo (I), Cambiaghi (I), Severini (I), Bonansea (I), Girelli (I), Xigiotti Olme (S)

Schedule, Results, and Standings in Group 1 

Matchday 1: Denmark 3-1 Serbia, ITALY 0-1 Sweden

Matchday 2 (7 March): ITALY vs. Denmark, Serbia vs. Sweden

Matchday 3 (14 April): Serbia vs. ITALY, Sweden vs. Denmark

Matchday 4 (18 April): Denmark vs. ITALY, Sweden vs. Serbia

Matchday 5 (5 June): Denmark vs. Sweden, ITALY vs. Serbia

Matchday 6 (9 June): Serbia vs. Denmark, Sweden vs. ITALY

Standings: Sweden and Denmark 3 points, Italy and Serbia 0