Italy were determined to make their mark and did exactly that. In their opening match of the women's football tournament at the Mediterranean Games, the Azzurrine dominated Kosovo to claim their first three points in a group that also features Morocco, Portugal - who drew 2-2 in Brindisi - and Slovenia. Italy ran out 4-1 winners in Francavilla Fontana, with Oddina and her teammates racing into a 3-0 half-time lead. Rosso opened the scoring with a header (12') before Guerzoni converted two penalties (25' and 35'). Andreangeli added a fourth after the break, with Mehmeti later scoring Kosovo's consolation. The result takes Italy to three points in the group, one behind joint leaders Morocco and Portugal. The Azzurrine will be back in action at 21:00 CEST on Tuesday 25 August, again in Francavilla Fontana, when they take on Slovenia.

DEL PRETE. After the final whistle, head coach Priscilla Del Prete was understandably pleased with her side's opening performance: "I'm happy because we've worked on our principles over the past few days and the girls put them into practice on the pitch. We were unpredictable with our constant rotations, and that was the key. We only conceded from a set-piece when we were 4-0 up, so that's something we'll work on and improve, but I'm delighted tonight. Tomorrow, we'll recover and then turn our attention to Slovenia. The girls are prepared and know everything they need to know, including that the level will get higher as we progress. But we've come here with a very clear objective, and if they take to the pitch with this desire, togetherness and heart, we can compete on equal terms with anyone."

THE MATCH. The Azzurrine started with Pezzi in goal, Guerzoni and Sterner in midfield and the trio of Ciurleo, Martone and Saccomandi operating behind lone striker Pinchi. Italy created the first big chance with less than two minutes played: Ciurleo slipped Grassi through and, after breaking into the box from the right, she found herself one-on-one with Blakaj, only for Beha to clear her effort off the line. It was an encouraging start, with Del Prete's side immediately taking control and, after creating a couple more good opportunities, they made the breakthrough as Rosso headed home from a corner (12'). Italy doubled their lead in the 25th minute after a Kosovo handball in the box resulted in a penalty, with Guerzoni sending Blakaj the wrong way from the spot. Ten minutes later, the Azzurrine were awarded another penalty after Pinchi was brought down. Guerzoni stepped up once again and made no mistake.

SECOND HALF. Leading 3-0 at the break, Del Prete made five changes for the start of the second half, introducing Cacace, Pieri, Messa, Andreangeli and Miraldi in place of Rosso, Ciccarelli, Guerzoni, Ciurleo and Martone. Just two minutes after the restart, Andreangeli took advantage of a gap in the Kosovo defence to make it 4-0. Kosovo pulled one back through Mehmeti following a corner, but Italy remained firmly in control, with Oddina and her teammates seeing out the game without any further trouble.

 

ITALY 4-1 KOSOVO

Italy (4-2-3-1): Pezzi; Grassi, Rosso (41' Cacace), Ciccarelli (41' Pieri), Oddina; Guerzoni (41' Messa), Sterner; Ciurleo (41' Andreangeli), Martone (41' Miraldi), Saccomandi (46' Galluzzi); Pinchi.

Substitutes: Agostini. Coach: Del Prete,

 

Kosovo (4-4-2): Blakaj; Gashi, Beha (65' Lecaj), Godeni, Halili (76' Shumolli); Maliqi (46' Kikaj), Mehmeti, Kelmendi, Rudi (46' Maloku); Meha, Kuqi (46' Xhemaijli).

Substitutes: Thaqi.

Coach: Rraahmani

 

Goals: 12' Rosso (I), 25' pen., 35' pen. Guerzoni (I), 87' Andreangeli (I), 90+1' Mehmeti

Referee: Cjapi (Albania); Assistants: Cvetanovikj (North Macedonia), Soklevska (North Macedonia);

Fourth official: Marotta (Italy)

Note: Maliqi (K) and Gashi (K) booked

 

Women's football tournament

Single group: Portugal, Morocco, ITALY, Slovenia, Kosovo

 

Fixtures and results

Matchday 1, Saturday 22 August

Slovenia 0-4 Morocco

Portugal 3-0 Kosovo

Matchday 2, Sunday 23 August

Portugal 2-2 Morocco

Italy 4-1 Kosovo

Standings after matchday 2

Morocco and Portugal 4 pts, Italy 3, Kosovo and Slovenia 0

Matchday 3, Tuesday 25 August

Morocco vs. Kosovo, 21:00 CEST | Brindisi

Italy vs. Slovenia, 21:00 CEST | Francavilla Fontana

Matchday 4, Thursday 27 August

Portugal vs. Slovenia, 21:00 CEST | Brindisi

Italy vs. Morocco, 21:00 CEST | Taranto

Matchday 5, Saturday 29 August

Slovenia vs. Kosovo, 18:00 CEST | Brindisi

Portugal vs. Italy, 18:00 CEST | Taranto

Finals, Monday 31 August

Third-place play-off, 10:30 CEST | Brindisi

Final, 19:00 CEST | Taranto