The Women’s National Team have begun with their preparations ahead of their upcoming commitments. Having won both of their games so far, the Azzurre continue on their path to EURO 2021 as they return to the pitch on Friday 4 October against Malta in Ta’Qali (Centenary Stadium, 17:30 CEST KO), and on Tuesday 8 October against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Palermo (“Renzo Barbera” Stadium, 17:30 CEST KO). Both games will be broadcast live on Rai2.

Coach Milena Bertolini was reunited with the “historic” group, along with new addition Giada Greggi, AS Roma’s midfielder called up from the Azzurre youth system after playing with the U15, U17 and U19 sides. The Coach said the following in her press conference: “The girls are in better shape compared to how they were at the end of August, their fitness has improved after the start of the league and the Champions League.

“What’s most important is their state of mind and that’s what I’ll be checking up on in the coming days. When we met in August the squad were all a bit tired, but that’s only natural after such a rollercoaster of a World Cup, which brought emotions that none of us are used to. We realised that it wouldn’t be easy to get going again. I said to the girls that we would have to snap back to reality, nobody can take what we did at the World Cup away from us, that’s something we’ll all carry in our hearts, but it’s just a starting point. We need to return to reality immediately.”

On Giada Greggi’s call-up: “She’s a talented girl who’s played in all of the National Youth Teams. She made her Serie A debut at 16, she’s young, but she’s got a lot of experience. I brought her in because she’s been playing well in the league, she’s got quality and talent.”

The Azzurre will face Malta and Bosnia and Herzegovina as their next twi opponents. Bertolini highlighted: “All of the national teams have improved in terms of physicality, competitiveness and aggression. Malta are a physical opponent and they’ll be a strong side, I think they’ll try to contain the game at the start and because of that we’re working on both technique and tactics in our preparation, but we’re also focused on how we’ll approach it mentally.”

As per the schedule, the Azzurre trained twice today and will do the same tomorrow. The squad will depart for Malta on Wednesday 2 October, where they will stay until Saturday the 5th.
Note to the editorial staff - Applications for accreditation are now open for Italy vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina on 8 October in Palermo on the FIGC’s online system: www.accreditations.figc.it.

Squad
Goalkeepers: Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina Women), Rachele Baldi (Empoli Ladies);
Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Fiorentina Women), Elena Linari (Atletico Madrid), Linda Tucceri Cimini (AC Milan);
Midfielders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Benedetta Glionna (Hellas Verona), Giada Greggi (AS Roma), Gloria Marinelli (FC Inter), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (AS Roma);
Forwards: Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Daniela Sabatino (Sassuolo), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

Staff – Head Coach: Milena Bertolini; Assistant Coach: Nicola Matteucci; Delegation Head: Barbara Facchetti; Women’s National Teams Co-ordinator: Annarita Stallone; Secretary: Alessandra Savini Nicci; Fitness Coach: Francesco Perondi; Goalkeeping Coach: Cristiano Viotti; Match Analyst: Marco Mannucci; Doctors: Luca Gatteschi, Antonio Ponzo; Physiotherapists : Maurizio D’Angelo, Matteo Cossa; Nutritionist : Natale Gentile.

Schedule
Monday 30 September
10:00 Training
13:15 Head Coach’s press conference
16:00 Training (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Tuesday 1 October
10:00 Training
13:15 Players’ press conference
16:00 Training (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Wednesday 2 October
9:25 Leave from Rome to Malta
17:30 Training

Thursday 3 October
17:30 Training
18:30 Inspection of the Centenary Stadium

Friday 4 October
17:30 Malta vs. Italy

Saturday 5 October
9:30 Training
18:55 Leave from Malta for Rome
21:40 Leave from Rome for Palermo

Sunday 6 October
16:30 Training (closed)

Monday 7 October
16:00 Press conference at the Stadio Renzo Barbera
16:30 Training (First 15 minutes open to the press)

Tuesday 8 October
17:30 Italy vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina