After an entertaining round of group stage action, it’s now time for the knockout rounds. On Tuesday at 18:00 CEST, the National Women’s Team will take on Jia Xiuquan’s China at the Stade de La Mosson in Montpellier during their World Cup Round of 16 fixture.

Ahead of this encounter, the team have been preparing at the Bernard Gasset training centre – which was previously the base for Antonio Conte’s Italy side during the 2016 European Championship. Most recently, the Azzurre split up into three groups for Friday’s training session and worked on different drills depending on the position. Goalkeeper Laura Giuliani was one of those involved, while also taking part in today’s press conference.

The Azzurre No.1 has successfully established herself as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, notably saving Sam Kerr’s penalty against Australia – who then scored from the rebound. She also kept a clean sheet against Jamaica before then producing a marvellous stop to keep out Debinha vs. Brazil: “We’ve made it this far and it’d be a shame to now put the brakes on. We’ll keep dreaming, no one expected these results and everything that comes from now on will be something earned.”

Cheerful, friendly and talkative, Laura seems more mature than her age. This is understandable when taking into account the five years spent in Germany where her life wasn’t simply consumed by football. She worked a number of different jobs, including stints in a bakery and factory, while also waiting in restaurants and coffee shops. These sacrifices have now led to her No.1 position in the National Team:

“When I decided to go and work in the bakery it was a difficult moment but I said to myself that it was the only job that I could do that allowed me to also train during the day. The fact that I worked alongside playing football allowed me to switch up my routine, while also giving me a different perception of things. At the start it was out of necessity, then it was a choice.”

Gigi Buffon has always been her idol, while she also admires Alisson: “A goalkeeper is a unique position because you are by yourself. You might only face one shot during a game but you have to make sure that you’re ready. It’s a position that is similar to everyday life – a mistake can help you analyse and improve.”

When quizzed upon potential changes to the dimensions of the pitch or the goal for women’s football, Laura was adamant that “the goals must remain the same. Nothing should be changed”.

Giuliani has been a key member of the Azzurre’s defensive successive so far, although insisted that it’s a collective effort: “The secret to our defence is organisation. We’ve worked incredibly hard and you can see the results out on the pitch. We don’t take the team’s synergy for granted, especially given that all the defenders play for different teams. Individually, we have the best defenders here. It’s no coincidence that we’ve only conceded two goals so far.”

Much like many athletes, she also has her own pre-match rituals: “Before heading out onto the pitch I always put my left glove on first. I then touch the crossbar with my right followed then by the left. I then make the sign of the cross and look to the sky as I believe that someone is watching over me.”

Schedule

Saturday 22 June
13:45 - Press conference (with a player at the hotel)
18:00 -  Training (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Sunday 23 June
13:45 - Press conference (with a player at the hotel)
18:00 -  Training (closed)

Monday 24 June

16:00 - Training (First 15 minutes open to the press)

18:30 - Press conference at the Stade de La Mosson (Coach and one player)
19:00 - Walkaround

Tuesday 25 June 
18:00 - Italy v.s China (media activities to follow)

Note: All times CEST and subject to change