Opportunity, pressure, awareness. These were the key words that were repeatedly mentioned by head coach Soncin and captain Cristiana Girelli ahead of Serbia vs. Italy tomorrow at 18:15 CEST. The pair sat side by side in the Coverciano auditorium. The walls were adorned with images of Italy’s four World Cup triumphs, and thoughts inevitably drift to what happened a few weeks ago in Zenica. The head coach noted, “It’s only natural that everything happening in Italian football right now involves us. We’ll need solidity and lots of focus, spirit, and courage. We’re refining every detail to prepare as best as possible for the match: we’re fully focused on our journey.” Soncin spoke, choosing his words carefully and, as always, using the feminine plural to highlight the need for equality in the game.

 

Girelli echoed the same view, without hiding or making excuses: “It was very disappointing for us that the men’s national team didn’t qualify. How do I feel about having more eyes on us now, as we’re the only Italian team that can still reach a World Cup? I think pressure is a privilege, it’s a responsibility, something that fuels you and pushes you to give that little bit more. Personally, I’ve always liked pressure: it means what you do really matters.”

She then reflected on her recent move to the States since the last international camp: “It’s going very well. I’ve found a really positive environment that’s full of energy, and I’m trying to bring that back here to the national team. And over there, they speak very highly of us, of our football; they always highlight our passion. Beyond the technical side, it’s nice to have that level of respect. We often tend to undermine ourselves, but in reality, we are held in very high regard.”

What kind of match will tomorrow’s game in Serbia be? “It will require heart and determination, which you’ve seen and which we know we can deliver. We know how important it is for our journey. We need to keep in mind that winning the remaining four matches could take us directly to the World Cup. It’s not arrogance, but awareness. I believe this team can do it. Serbia are an organised and well-structured side with clear ideas. But we want to get back to winning: we miss the taste of victory.”

 

Soncin reinforced, “From Cristiana’s comments, it's clear that we have an awareness of the game and of how to manage the different phases of the match. Tomorrow we’ll need patience, meaning calmness and quality in our play. We have the quality to manage the game properly, to set the tempo ourselves, and to prevent the transitions that can come when attacking a low block.”

 

Finally, a note on football more broadly, looking beyond national borders: Marie-Louise Eta, the newly appointed Union Berlin coach, has become the first female manager in one of Europe’s top five leagues in men’s football. Soncin comments: “I want to highlight the club’s long-term vision: that’s what we should take away. It can be a source of inspiration for all men’s clubs.”

 

 

 

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)