The Women’s National Team has today flown to Tel Aviv where they will be in action for the first time following the World Cup in France. AT 17:30 CEST, Italy will play Israel in the opening qualifier for the 2021 European Championship in England. The aim is to earn the three points ahead of the next match on Tuesday 3 September against Georgia in Tbilisi.

Milena Bertolini knows how important it is to build on the good work done at the World Cup and keep improving after the side made the quarter-finals.

“These first two matches come at a strange time with the season yet to begin,” said the Coach at the airport in Fiumicino. “The girls still don’t have games in their leagues and they might not shine like they did at the World Cup. In terms of the ranking, we’ll be up against two teams who are below us but the standard of women’s football is increasing a lot. A year ago, Israel only lost 2-0 to Spain. We can’t take it for granted, seeing that we’re also playing away and with certain climate conditions. Of course, we’re now a team that knows what to can do and we want to continue improving so we can show what we can do to more people."

Italy want to start on the right football but will be without Barbara Bonansea who is the first injury of the season. 17 out of the 23 squad members were at the World Cup. The new faces are Vanessa Panzeri, Agnese Bonfantini, Arianna Caruso, Gloria Marinelli and the two new goalkeepers Francesca Durante and Rachele Baldi.

“There are new girls who are up to it, we have an Under-23 side that is working well and the girls are getting experience. That team is the natural room for development ahead of the senior side. We need to keep receiving feedback and generating enthusiasm and support by getting consistent results. It’s vital we play in the European Championship, we’ll need results to get there and if we do so by playing well, even better. We must be aware that we’re at the start of a new journey, it's a tougher start compared to two years ago when we met up for the first time.”

Squad List

Goalkeepers: Laura Giuliani (Juventus), Francesca Durante (Fiorentina Women), Rachele Baldi (Empoli Ladies).

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli (AS Roma), Laura Fusetti (AC Milan), Sara Gama (Juventus), Alia Guagni (Fiorentina Women), Elena Linari (Atletico de Madrid), Vanessa Panzeri (Juventus), Linda Tucceri Cimini (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Valentina Bergamaschi (AC Milan), Agnese Bonfantini (AS Roma), Arianna Caruso (Juventus), Valentina Cernoia (Juventus), Aurora Galli (Juventus), Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma), Martina Rosucci (Juventus), Annamaria Serturini (AS Roma).

Forwards: Cristiana Girelli (Juventus), Valentina Giacinti (AC Milan), Gloria Marinelli (FC Inter), Daniela Sabatino (Sassuolo), Stefania Tarenzi (FC Inter).

Staff

Head Coach: Milena Bertolini; Assistant Coach: Nicola Matteucci; Fitness Coach: Francesco Perondi; Goalkeeping Coach: Cristiano Viotti; Match Analyst: Marco Mannucci; Doctors: Matteo Guzzini, Luca Gatteschi, Ferdinando Iannotti; Physiotherapists: Daniele Frosoni, Matteo Cossa; Nutritionist: Natale Gentile.

Schedule

Monday 26 August

10:45 Transfer to Rome Fiumicino airport

12:00 Flight to Tel Aviv

16:20* Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Hotel Herods Herzliya

20.00* Training at the Shefayim training ground (closed)
Tuesday 27 August

19:30* Training at the Shefayim training ground (closed)

Wednesday 28 August

18:30* Training MD-1 c/o Ramat Gan Stadium  (First 15 minutes open to the media)

Thursday 29 August

18:30* ISRAEL vs. ITALY

Media activities to follow

 Friday 30 August

9:30* Training at the Shefayim training ground (closed)

Saturday 31 August

14:10* Flight from Tel Aviv to Tbilisi

17:45** Land at Tbilisi and transfer to the Hotel Radisson Blu Tbilisi

Sunday 1 September

17.00** Training at the David Petriashvili Sports Centre (closed)

Monday 2 September

17:00**  Training MD-1 c/o Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (First 15 minutes open to the media)

Tuesday 3 September

17:00** GEORGIA vs. ITALY

Media activities to follow

 Wednesday 4 September

05:05** Return to Italy via Munich

 

Time zones: *Israel CET+1  /  **Georgia CET +2