More than six months after their last game, the 3-0 win in the semi-final of the Algarve Cup against New Zealand, Milena Bertolini’s side are ready to get back on the road to the EUROs in 2022. On Thursday 17 September (20:45 CEST) the Azzurre host Israel at Empoli’s Stadio Carlo Castellani. Then, they head over the Adriatic to take on Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Bilino Poje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday 22 September.

The Women’s National Team played in Empoli in January 2019, beating Chile 2-1 in a friendly thanks to goals from Mauro and Tarenzi. They already beat Israel (3-2) in Tel Aviv ten months ago, so will be looking for a repeat performance come September.

Italy also beat the Bosnians (2-0) earlier on in the campaign, and have, in fact, won all three of their games against this opposition. “We’re happy to be able to get back out on the pitch after all this time,” said Milena Bertolini, “we’ll finally be able to get back underway. This is the most important thing. A year and a half ago, Empoli welcomed us with open arms and I hope to get another great win at the Castellani.”

“I expect a lot of desire and enthusiasm from the girls. Wearing an Italy shirt again should motivate them to try and always do better.” Italy are currently top of Group B (six wins, 19 goals scored, two conceded) and their objective is to take six points from these next two games. It will serve as good preparation for the vital clash with Denmark at the end of the year. The Danes have won five games in qualification so far, and have a better goal difference than the Azzurre.

The road to the top of the group, which guarantees a place at the finals, is there to be taken in September’s games.

Group B schedule:

17 September 2020: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. Denmark

17 September 2020: ITALY vs. Israel (Stadio Carlo Castellani, Empoli)

22 September 2020: Malta vs. Denmark

22 September 2020: Bosnia & Herzegovina vs. ITALY (Bilino Poje Stadium, Zenica)

22 September 2020: Georgia vs. Israel

21 October 2020: Denmark vs. Israel

27 October2020: ITALY vs. Denmark

26 November 2020: Georgia vs. Malta

1 December 2020: Israel vs. Malta

1 December 2020: Denmark  vs. ITALY

1 December 2020: Georgia vs. Bosnia & Erzegovina

 

Standings:

ITALY 18 points (six games played), Denmark 15 (five games), Bosnia & Herzegovina 15 (seven), Israel 4 (six), Malta 4 (seven), Georgia 0 (seven)