A straight shootout for top spot in the group. Tomorrow, Saturday 12 September, at 15:00 – live on Rai Sport – the Women’s Under-20 National Team will take on Japan in Lodz in a match that will decide who finishes first in Group D. After victories over the United States and New Zealand in their opening two games, the Azzurrine head into the contest knowing that a win or a draw will be enough to secure top spot. More importantly, Matteucci’s side have already booked their place in the knockout stages and can draw confidence from having beaten one of the tournament favourites, the USA.

Matteucci is confident there will be no let-up despite Italy having already secured their place in the round of 16. “This group has shown great maturity and a real willingness to put the team first. Every player is ready to contribute, whether she starts or comes on during the game. We will need that same level of focus tomorrow. At a World Cup, it is hard to take your foot off the gas – the motivation is there naturally.” So how do you prepare for a game like this against opponents of such quality? “You work on finding solutions, right down to the smallest detail, to win the ball back as quickly as possible and then keep it for as long as we can. Against teams this strong, if you allow them too much possession, sooner or later they will punish you. We managed that very well against the United States, showing that we could take control of the game ourselves. Tomorrow we will need to perform at a very high level in every area: mentally, physically and technically.”

The opposition. Japan have reached the final of the last two editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, in 2022 and 2024, and lifted the trophy in 2018.

After opening their campaign with a 2-1 win over New Zealand, Japan drew 2-2 with the United States, coming from behind twice. Technically gifted and comfortable in possession, they are a strong all-round side. Central midfielder Honda is one of their key players and helped spark the move for Japan’s first equaliser against the USA with an excellent ball recovery, while forward Tago scored to make it 1-1 in that match.

Disciplinary situation. Having served her two-match suspension, Caterina Venturelli will be available to Matteucci again for this game. She is one of three players born in 2008 – alongside Bressan and Galli – who featured at last year’s U-17 World Cup. Appiah is the only Italy player one booking away from suspension, having been shown a yellow card in the opening match against the United States.

Possible round-of-16 opponents. Italy have two possible routes. If they finish top of the group, they will face one of the best third-placed teams; if they finish second, they will take on the winners of Group E, which also features the formidable reigning champions North Korea.

In the latter scenario, the Azzurrine would remain in Lodz and return to action on Thursday 17 at 18:30, once again at the Stadion Miejski, where they have played all their matches so far. If Italy win the group, they will instead travel to Sosnowiec for a round-of-16 tie on Wednesday 16 at 18:30 against a third-placed side from Group B, E or F.

 

World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Elena Belli (Inter), Erica Di Nallo (Vicenza), Lavinia Tornaghi (Milan);

Defenders: Martina Bressan (Inter), Martina Cocino (Aarau), Lidia Consolini (Inter), Azzurra Gallo (Tolosa), Emma Lombardi (Fiorentina), Martina Tosello (Cesena), Caterina Venturelli (Sassuolo);

Midfielders: Giada Catena (Res Donna Roma), Maya Cherubini (Fiorentina), Paola Fadda (Sassuolo), Gabriella Langella (Napoli Women), Sofia Testa (Ternana Women), Marta Zamboni (Como Women);

Forwards: Karen Appiah (Cesena), Giulia Galli (Barcellona), Giada Pellegrino Cimò (Roma), Manuela Sciabica (Lazio), Rosanna Ventriglia (Ternana Women).

Staff – Head coach: Nicola Matteucci; methodology coach: Fabio Andolfo; assistant coach: Erika Lisi; goalkeeping coach: Mattia Volpi; fitness coaches: Lorenzo Corsi and Vincenzo Piermatteo; match analyst: Alessandro Rossi; doctors: Michela Cammarano and Andrea Gattelli; physiotherapists: Marco Fiore and Eugenio Zarcone; nutritionist: Vito Flavio Valletta; team secretary: Aurora Leo.

 

Group D: results, standings and fixtures

Sunday 6 September

Japan 2-1 New Zealand

United States 1-2 Italy

Wednesday 9 September

Italy 3-0 New Zealand

Japan 2-2 United States

Saturday 12 September

Italy v Japan, 15:00 (live on Rai Sport)

New Zealand v United States, 15:00

Standings: Italy 6 points, Japan 4, United States 1, New Zealand 0

World Cup groups

Group A: Poland, Argentina, Mexico, Benin

Group B: Brazil, Tanzania, Canada, England

Group C: France, South Korea, Ecuador, Ghana

Group D: Japan, New Zealand, United States, ITALY

Group E: North Korea, Portugal, Costa Rica, Colombia

Group F: Spain, Nigeria, New Caledonia, China