The football world has been shaken by the news of the passing of 28-year-old Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who was involved in a car accident together with his brother André (also a professional footballer). The FIGC and the Azzurre join in mourning alongside his family and the Portuguese Football Federation. This morning, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina sent a message to his Portuguese counterpart, Pedro Proença, expressing the solidarity and support of Italian football. At 21:00 CEST this evening, Portugal, who are in the same group as Italy, will play their EURO 2025 opener against Spain in Bern. A minute’s silence will be observed before both of today’s matches.

There has been a late change in the Italy squad on the day of the Azzurre’s EURO 2025 opener against Belgium, scheduled for 18:00 CEST at the Stade de Tourbillon in Sion. Due to injury, Chiara Beccari will not take part in the tournament. The Juventus forward sustained a muscle strain in her left thigh during training and has been replaced by fellow Bianconere player Valentina Bergamaschi, who – along with Aurora Galli, Astrid Gilardi and Martina Rosucci – had been training with the group despite not initially being included in the final 23-player list.

Head coach Andrea Soncin had decided to take 27 players to Switzerland for the final preparation phase ahead of the tournament, as the regulations allow for a player to be replaced in the squad in the event of injury or illness up until a team’s opening match. UEFA approved the change after receiving the FIGC’s request. Despite her young age, 20-year-old Beccari had already featured at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. This evening, she will cheer on her teammates from the stands before returning to Italy tomorrow along with Galli, Gilardi and Rosucci.