Bonfantini and Cantore scored in the Azzurre's final win in 2024
02 December 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
Just a few kilometres away from the gallery that houses Munch's ‘The Scream’, an iconic work of art painted in 1893 by the famous Norwegian painter, Italy held their final training session at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, where tomorrow they take on the hosts in the third match of League A Group 1. The painting embodies anguish and fear, while on the pitch it's about confidence, cohesion and desire for redemption. The dream is direct qualification to EURO 2025, so it is fundamental to get off to a good start and try to get a result in the first of two matches against the Scandinavians.
Andrea Soncin spoke to RAI: "I have seen many positive signs in the last few days, which combined with passion, pride and a great willingness on the part of the girls make us very confident as we work towards our. We have laid the foundations over the past few months, also thanks to the excellent work done by the clubs, now we want to continue to grow and to do so we need to get through some top-level matches." FIGC general secretary Marco Brunelli will be at the ground to support the team, ready to accompany the players in their fundamental fixture on the road to the finals.
In front of the approximately 10,000 spectators at the Ullevaal Stadion, Italy will have to deal with the vast array of talent at Gemma Grainger's disposal. While respecting the great qualities of the opposition, the Italy boss prefers to focus on the ‘tasks’ for his group: "Our idea of the game comes first," he added, "we know that by reasoning as a team and playing with the right distances we can perform at our best in all situations and phases of the match. Throughout the meeting, we insisted on this aspect: to create a strong identity."
In light of the group table, with all four teams currently tied on three points, there is no room for the slightest error. Lucia Di Guglielmo is also aware of this, and she and her teammates know that they have a great opportunity to secure the European pass and, at the same time, a great responsibility: "We have a clear idea of our objective," stressed the Roma full-back, "we want to do well in order to gain qualification. This kind of pressure is a good one to experience and I am sure we will be ready for it."
For her and the other Giallorosse, fresh from winning their second consecutive league title and the Coppa Italia, it has been a year full of satisfaction, a stimulus that will now be used to give a further boost to the season finale with the Azzurre. "We have a great desire to bring this hunger and energy onto the pitch in order to take all three points," concluded the 26-year-old. "We are training well; tomorrow the approach to the match will be fundamental. We will have to play an intelligent match and be good at managing the moments."
Squad list
Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Fiorentina), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina), Margot Shore (Hellas Verona);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Roma), Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Maria Luisa Filangeri (Sassuolo), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Elisabetta Oliviero (Sampdoria), Julie Piga (Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);
Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Giulia Dragoni (Barcelona), Aurora Galli (Everton), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Matilde Pavan (Inter), Cecilia Prugna (Sassuolo), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);
Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Sassuolo), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Inter), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Juventus), Michela Catena (Fiorentina), Valentina Giacinti (Roma), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Everton), Annamaria Serturini (Inter).