Andrea Soncin, who arrived in the press room embodying the spirit of the Azzurre during these first days of training camp, commented, “It has been an incredible week.” The last few days have been filled with smiles and hard work to do their very best in the match against Serbia, the penultimate crucial step on the road to the World Cup: tomorrow at 18:15. In Soncin’s first game in charge in Pisa, the Azurre must beat the squad at the bottom of their group to keep qualification hopes alive and gear up for Tuesday’s showdown against Sweden. Sweden themselves will face Denmark in just over 24 hours.

 

A win for Sweden in the Scandinavian derby would allow the Azzurre to regain control of their own destiny and, with another victory in Gothenburg (a first in Sweden), secure direct qualification for the tournament. But for now, the coach refuses to be concerned with the calculations and is entirely focused on his squad. “All the players are showing a great attitude and the right focus. They recognise the gravity of this moment, and of the responsibilities, or rather opportunities, we have. When you have dreams, you have to do everything possible to achieve them.”

As a player, Soncin has already experienced the fiery atmosphere of the Arena Garibaldi, which is ready to spur Italy on in a do-or-die match. “This stadium takes me back in time. It’s a true gladiator arena, where the crowd has always played its part. Tomorrow, we want to control the game; we’ll need to show mental intensity and aggression from the very start. We can’t wait to step onto the pitch.”

Before heading into theif final training session, Soncin also praised Silvio Baldini, who debuted with a win on the men’s national team bench: “Congratulations, not so much for the result but for what he managed to convey to those who listened. He used very simple words that really resonated with people. The human aspect in our sport is often underestimated, but it helps create strong bonds that help players come together and create something special.”

Lucia Di Guglielmo also responded to journalists’ questions. Born 28 years ago in Pisa, where she also graduated with top marks in Chemistry in 2019, she has built her career between Italy and the United States, where she now plays for the Washington Spirit alongside Cantore. As a child, wearing the Zambra kit, she says she played on almost every pitch in Pisa: “Except one with the national team,” she added with a smile.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be here,” she said. “If I close my eyes, I can see myself as a child watching the packed stadium in club colours: I never would have expected to play here with the national team, and I’m happy the city can be part of our journey, especially at such an important stage.”

The defender also praised the team’s unity (“a key factor”) and congratulated her former Roma teammates: “Before leaving, I told coach Rossettini: ‘Go win the Scudetto and I’m very happy with what they achieved this season. I followed them even from afar, because Rome will always be home for me.” Speaking of Rome, tomorrow, before the match, Manuela Giugliano will be presented by FIGC general secretary Marco Brunelli to mark her 100th international appearance.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Lazio), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Margot Shore (Marseille);

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (Inter), Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Houston Dash), Federica D’Aurica (Lazio), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Milan);

Midfielders: Melissa Bellucci (Napoli Women), Arianna Caruso (Bayern Munich), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Margherita Monnecchi (Lazio), Martina Piemonte (Lazio), Noemi Visentin (Lazio).

 

Calendar, results, and standings of Group 1 (League A)

Matchday 1: Denmark 3-1 Serbia, ITALY 0-1 Sweden
Matchday 2: Serbia 0-0 Sweden, ITALY 1-1 Denmark
Matchday 3: Serbia 0-6 ITALY, Sweden 1-2 Denmark
Matchday 4: Denmark 0-0 ITALY, Sweden 1-0 Serbia

Standings: Denmark 8 points, Sweden 7, Italy 5, Serbia 1

Matchday 5 (5 June): Denmark vs Sweden, ITALY vs Serbia
Matchday 6 (9 June): Serbia vs Denmark, Sweden vs ITALY