The Italian Women’s National Team are preparing to face their first big test of 2020, as they make their debut in the Algarve Cup against Portugal on Wednesday 4 March (20:15 local time, 21:15 CET - live on RaiSport Italy). This will be their first participation in the prestigious tournament after twelve years of absence, and the preparations have been building up to this moment for months. Italy arrived in Lisbon on Saturday before moving locations to Algarve, the most southern point of Portugal, where they will complete another training session this afternoon ahead of Wednesday’s match against the hosts. Portugal currently sit 31st in the FIFA Ranking, having lost both of their games against Italy in the French World Cup qualifiers. Stefania Tarenzi has also been called up to the group, the Inter forward being summoned by Coach Milena Bertolini on Friday and celebrating her 32nd birthday with her teammates on Saturday.

The Algarve Cup has taken on a new format this year: the eight nations will face off in four quarter-finals on Wednesday 4 March, with the winners then competing in the semi-finals on Saturday 7 March and the losers competing for 5th to 8th place. The finals to decide 3rd to 8th place will take place on 10 March, while the grand finale to decide the winner will take place on 11 March. New Zealand vs. Belgium, Germany vs. Sweden and Norway vs. Denmark are the other quarter-final match-ups, with Norway the reigning champions of the competition.

The tournament represents an important test for Italy, with Bertolini’s side looking to prepare as best possible for their upcoming games on 10 and 14 April, as Italy face Israel and Bosnia in the 2021 European Championship qualifiers, looking to keep up their perfect record on maximum points at the top of the group.

The squad list

Goalkeepers: Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Rachele Baldi (Empoli Ladies), Katja Schroffenegger (Florentia San Gimignano);
Defenders: Sara Gama (Juventus), Cecilia Salvai (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Fiorentina Women’s), Elena Linari (Atletico Madrid), Martina Lenzini (Sassuolo), Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Lisa Boattin (Juventus), Alice Tortelli (Fiorentina Women’s);
Midfielders: Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Marta Mascarello (Fiorentina Women’s), Arianna Caruso (Juventus);
Forwards: Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Daniela Sabatino (Sassuolo), Agnese Bonfantini (AS Roma), Barbara Bonansea (Juventus), Tatiana Bonetti (Fiorentina Women’s), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

Schedule

Monday 2 March

16.00 CET - Training

Tuesday 3 March

16.00 CET - Coach's Press Conference
18.00 CET - Training

Wednesday 4 March

20.15 CET - Portugal vs. ITALY (live on RaiSport)