Call-ups in the Spalletti era: 17 European Champions in Azzurri
11 November 2023
Thursday, September 14, 2023
The Azzurre are set to make their debut in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League in a few days' time, the tournament that started six years ago for the Men's national teams, which this year has been introduced by UEFA in the Women's game, too.
The first outing is scheduled for Friday 22 September (19:30 CEST live on RaiSport) in San Gallo against Switzerland, before a home game on Tuesday 26 September (17:45 CEST, live on Rai 2) at the stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro against FIFA's number 1 female ranked-side, Sweden.
SWITZERLAND VS. ITALY.Switzerland are the Azzurre's favourite opponent, having recorded the most number of wins against them than any other country (16 in 22 meetings, considering all games since 1984 when the National side became part of the FIGC organisation), even if in the last 13 years the record is four wins and three defeats (three successive losses between 2015 and 2017, including a 6-0 beating in the Cyprus Tournament, the biggest defeat in Azzurre history). It will be the first time the Azzurre have played in San Gallo (in 2018, the Men's team played there).
ITALY VS. SWEDEN. A less positive record against the Swedes, who top the FIFA rankings following the World Cup. So far, the Azzurre have only run out winners four times in 24 meetings, with the last time a 5-0 loss in Wellington only a month or so ago. The Algarve Cup 2022 final, the 2013, 2009, 1989 and 1984 Euros all saw Sweden get the better of Italy. The successes include a win in the 2017 Euros, which counted for nothing, and two draws that helped in qualifying for the 1991 Euros.
PREVIOUS GAMES IN SAN GALLO AND CASTEL DI SANGRO. It will be the first time for the Azzurre in San Gallo, where the Men's Senior side played in a 2-1 friendly win over Saudi Arabia in 2018. Instead, it will be the fifth game in six years at Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro: three wins (over Romania, Malta and Croatia) and a draw with Spain, in a Euro 2022 warm-up friendly, that saw the first-ever goal conceded by the home side (scored by Putellas) at the Teofilo Patini. In Castel di Sangro, the Azzurre have scored 12 goals in total (Girelli and Cernoia with three each).