The first training camp of the season for the Italy Women’s National Team is under way in Coverciano, where the Azzurre are back on home soil. A new beginning, marked by big smiles and a determination to resume their journey towards the World Cup finals. Andrea Soncin’s side are ready to face Belarus in the first round of the play-offs, a two-legged test they must overcome to earn a decisive showdown with Finland or Serbia in early December. The first leg will take place on Friday 9 October (18:15 CEST, Rai 2) at the neutral venue of the David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia, before the eagerly anticipated return leg at the ‘Franchi’ in Florence on the following Tuesday (18:15 CEST, Rai 2).

‘It’s a pleasure to be back together after such a long time,’ said the Head Coach at his press conference. ‘Feeling the huge amount of affection around us will allow us to quickly recreate the right atmosphere and build our team spirit. For me and the staff, the last four months have been spent travelling around the world, but we have stayed in touch with all the players so that we could experience these play-offs together in the best possible way. The moment of truth has arrived and we can’t wait to start dreaming again together.’ Soncin is calling for commitment, hard work and common sense of purpose as the team pursue their major objective: Brazil 2027. ‘We need to be a team, and to do that we’ll need plenty of energy, as always, and not just physical energy. That will allow each of us to give everything we have to the collective.’

That spirit was perfectly embodied by the Under 20 Azzurrine, who returned from an extraordinary World Cup campaign with a fourth-place finish and plenty of applause. ‘They made us incredibly proud,’ added the Head Coach. ‘I’m not at all surprised by their result, because for years now there has been a development pathway built around ideas and a clear playing identity that brings out the talent of young players. We are creating a well-defined pathway to ensure that the Italy team of the future has players who already possess the right mentality.’

After praising Nicola Matteucci’s team, Soncin also sent his best wishes to Silvio Baldini and Roberto Mancini ahead of their respective commitments today.’ ‘They are two coaches I have great respect for and from whom I try to draw inspiration. The Under 21s are doing very well and have a great opportunity to secure direct qualification for the European Championship, while the senior team are bringing the fans back to the Azzurro colour with great enthusiasm through their performances and results.’

The players held their first training session in the afternoon as they began preparations for the 90 minutes against Belarus, with the match set to take place in four days at the David Petriashvili Stadium. ‘They play modern football and have some good individual players, especially out wide,’ Soncin said.

The overseas-based players also took part in the session, with all of them having already arrived in Coverciano except Lisa Boattin, Sofia Cantore and Lucia Di Guglielmo.

Elisa Bartoli was not present. Following consultation with the Italy medical staff, she was forced to leave camp due to a minor muscle problem in her right thigh. The Head Coach has decided to replace her with Michela Giordano, who leaves the Under 23s to join up with the senior team for the first time.

 

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Como 1907), Astrid Gilardi (Como Women), Laura Giuliani (Stoccarda);

Defenders: *Elisa Bartoli (Inter), Valentina Bergamaschi (Roma), Lisa Boattin (Houston Dash), Federica D’Aurica (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Washington Spirit), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elisabetta Oliviero (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (AC Milan);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Real Madrid), Giulia Dragoni (Chelsea), Manuela Giugliano (Roma), Giada Greggi (Roma), Eva Schatzer (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (Juventus), Emma Severini (Fiorentina);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (San Diego Wave), Michela Cambiaghi (Inter), Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit), Cristiana Girelli (Bay FC), Benedetta Glionna (Inter), Martina Piemonte (Roma), Elisa Polli (Inter).

*Replaced by Michela Giordano (Napoli Women)

THE SCHEDULE

Tuesday 6 October

15:30 CEST Training session (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Wednesday 7 October

10:30 CEST Training session (closed)

15:30 CEST Flight departure for Tbilisi

Thursday 8 October

18:15 local time (16:15 CEST) MD-1 training session at the David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi

Friday 9 October

20:15 local time (18:15 CEST) Belarus vs. ITALY (live on Rai 2)

Saturday 10 October

11:30 local time (09:30 CEST) Flight departure for Florence

17:00 CEST Training session (first 15 minutes open to the media)

Sunday 11 October

10:30 CEST Training session (closed)

Monday 12 October

15:30 CEST MD-1 press conference with Head Coach + player at the ‘Franchi’ in Florence

17:00 CEST MD-1 training session at the ‘Franchi’ in Florence

Tuesday 13 October

18:15 CEST ITALY vs. Belarus (live on Rai 2)

Delegation disbands after the match