Italy Women are ready to take to the pitch for their third World Cup qualifying fixture: tomorrow, at the Stadio Teofilo Patini in Castel di Sangro, the Azzurre will face a Croatia side who they beat 5-0 in Karlovac a month ago. Bertolini’s side will be aiming to make it three wins from three in Group G knowing that Switzerland and Romania, both of whom also have maximum points after two games, will be facing each other in a six-pointer in Zurich.

In addition to Manuela Giugliano and Elisa Bartoli, who aren’t in the squad due to small physical issues, Milena Bertolini will have to do without the suspended Laura Giuliani, who, however, will be available for Tuesday’s game against Lithuania. Nevertheless, the Head Coach will finally have Alia Guagni at her disposal again.

“We’re a great group and have shown we can overcome any absences,” said Bertolini in her pre-match press conference. “The first match against Croatia was proof that Croatia are an aggressive team and tough from a physical point of view. We need to grow in this regard. In order to become an elite side in world football, we need to make a leap forward from a mental perspective. Our objective is to approach every match with the right attitude and have the required competitive edge.”

Since the last meeting between the sides, the Croats have changed coach, which is likely to give the team a boost: “We can’t afford to underestimate them,” the Head Coach added. “We’ll be up against a motivated team that will play in a different way to what we’ve seen from them so far. Their players will want to show their new coach what they can do.”  

One player who doesn’t have anything to prove is Italy captain Sara Gama, who is determined to give the fans an evening to remember: “They’re a tough side to face, but we’ll be at home, giving us more motivation to do well. We won’t be lacking in desire to control the game and achieve a good result.” Castel di Sangro, who hosted Italy in wins against Romania (2017) and Malta (2019), will once again provide the Azzurre with excellent backing: around 2000 fans will cheer the team on in the stands at the Patini.

Squad list

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi (Roma), Francesca Durante (Inter), Laura Giuliani (Milan), Katja Schroffenegger (Fiorentina);

Defenders: Valentina Bergamaschi (Milan), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Lucia Di Guglielmo (Roma), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Atletico Madrid), Martina Lenzini (Juventus), Elena Linari (Roma), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Angelica Soffia (Roma);

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Everton), Giada Greggi (Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus);

Forwards: Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Sofia Cantore (Sassuolo), Valentina Giacinti (Milan), Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Benedetta Glionna (Roma), Valeria Pirone (Roma), Annamaria Serturini (Roma).

Schedule (All times CEST)

Friday 22 October
17:30 - ITALY VS. CROATIA

Saturday 23 October
10:30 - Training

Sunday 24 October
Charter flight to Vilnius

Monday 25 October
17:30 - Training at the LFF Stadium

Tuesday 26 October
17:30 - LITHUANIA VS. ITALY
Travel to the airport after the match and return home