27 Azzurre are training at Coverciano with one objective in mind: to prepare as best as possible for the upcoming matches in Serbia (Tuesday 14 April at 18:15 CEST) and Denmark (Saturday 18 April at 15:00 CEST), in an attempt to rise through the standings in the World Cup qualifying group. Only the group winner will earn direct qualification for Brazil, while the others will be forced into the dreaded playoffs.

Among the 27 players training under head coach Soncin since yesterday, there is also a new face. Or rather, a new face for the senior national team, as she has received her first call-up with the Azzurre, but a player who has already passed through Coverciano across all youth levels: Marika Massimino explained, “It’s definitely surreal, and for me it’s a real source of pride to be here today.” She spoke with the energy and enthusiasm of a 22-year-old, a contagious excitement clearly reflected in her bright eyes. She is a defensive pillar for Ternana Women and noted, “I owe a lot to the club, because they were always by my side even during the challenging time in my career when I was injured, which kept me away from the pitch for around a year.” Marika has rejoined teammates in this Azzurri camp who shared the final stages of the 2022 U19 European Championship with her (Astrid Gilardi, Eva Schatzer, Emma Severini, and Chiara Beccari, as well as assistant coach Viviana Schiavi).

These days, I’m living this experience with national team teammates I had previously only followed in European and World Cup competitions. I try to learn as much as possible from every one of them, paying attention to every detail. They all have great desire and determination.”

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Astrid Gilardi (Como Women)*, Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Marseille);
Defenders: Caterina Ambrosi (Parma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Marika Massimino (Ternana), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Milan);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);
Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).

*Called up as a replacement for Francesca Durante (Lazio).