Following their first training session in Orlando, the Azzurre took to the field again this morning at the Inter&Co Stadium, the venue for the clash on Friday 28 November at 19:00 local time (01:00 CET on 29 November in Italy, live on Rai 2). 

It’s a highly-anticipated clash for both teams: USA, the most successful team in history in Women’s Football (four World Cup wins and five Olympic Golds), will look to build on their wins against Portugal and New Zealand in October, to end the year in the best way possible. Andrea Soncin’s side, meanwhile, are looking forward to pitting themselves against the, currently ranked, second best team in the world, according to FIFA Rankings.


Manuela Giugliano spoke before the match: “We’re in the middle of an incredible time, we’re very lucky to face a team of this calibre. Receiving an invitation from the American Federation is a huge honour: we’re here to understand where we are and to prepare for the qualifying campaign for ‘Brazil 2027’, which I hope, will lead us to do great things together. As a child, you dream of playing in matches like this. Now that I’m here, I’m only thinking about giving my all. If we are able to show all of our qualities, I’m certain that we will get a good result”. 

It’s ‘Manu’ who has the task of describing the characteristics and strengths of the squad available to Emma Hayes, who is without the injured Trinity Rodman but full of young and very young talent (20 of the 23 called up are under 30), such as Lyon’s 18-year-old Isabella Yohannes and the 19-year-olds Jordyn Bugg and Claire Hutton, rising stars of the NWSL.

“It’s very hard to find a flaw in this team. Their best weapon is definitely intensity, with them it’s all about running. But we will respond with all our technique, and if we manage to do that, they will be the ones who have to run.”

The 28 year old from Castelfranco Veneto also spoke about another aspect very close to her heart: the achievement of 100 appearances with the National Team: “I never expected to reach this number, I have always shown dedication, desire and sacrifice. I am happy because it shows that all that I have done, reached all of the coaches and all of the people on the outside who tell me how much they enjoy watching me play. This is the most exciting aspect, perhaps more so than a win. I’m eagerly awaiting the triple digits and it will be the greatest day of my life, when I do”.
 

13,500 tickets have been sold for the match against the USA. This number is sure to grow, but not by much, because tomorrow - 27 November - Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States, a time that will allow for many Americans to celebrate a long weekend from home.
 

SQUAD LIST

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

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Huston Dash), Federica D’Auria (Lazio), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (London City Lionesses), Beatrice Merlo (Inter), Elisabetta Oliviero (Lazio), Julie Piga (AC Milan), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Bayern Monaco), Giulia Dragoni (Roma), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Eleonora Goldoni (Lazio), Giada Greggi (Roma), Nadine Nischler (Como), Matilde Pavan (Como), Eva Schatzer (Juventus);

Forwards: Chiara Beccari (Juventus), Agnese Bonfantini (Fiorentina), Michela Cambiaghi (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Alice Corelli (Roma), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Martina Piemonte (Lazio).