Italy’s footballers absolutely want to prevent the second EM preliminary round in a row. A prerequisite for this is a win against Belgium tonight. In addition, Iceland is not allowed to win against France in the parallel game.
After reaching the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup in France, expectations of the “Azzurre” before the continental title fights in England were high. Coach Milena Bertolini’s team was even treated as a secret favorite by some experts.
The disillusionment was all the greater after the 5-1 defeat against France and the subsequent 1-1 draw against Iceland. “We didn’t expect such a difficult start,” AS Roma defender Elisa Bartoli openly admitted at the press conference for tonight’s duel with the “Red Flames” (9 p.m. CEST).
The team is sorry that they have disappointed their fans so far, said the 31-year-old and at the same time appeared combative: “Nothing is lost yet. We will do our best.” Attacker Daniela Sabatino took the same line. “We know what’s at stake and I’m sure we’ll be ready,” said the 37-year-old ACF Fiorentina striker, who has only made one brief appearance against Iceland but may have legitimate hopes of a starting eleven nomination.
Pacemaker Cernoia back with the team
The same applies to midfielder Valentina Cernoia, whose overview and calm the Italians lacked in the first two games. The pace setter from Juventus Turin had been in isolation for the past eight days because of a positive corona test. She was tested on Saturday (16.07.22) and has been training with the team again since then.
The fitness level of the 31-year-old is “encouraging”, said team doctor Matteo Guzzini. However, he could not say how many minutes Cernoia’s power would last.
Teammate Sabatino is sure that the Turin pacesetter will be a win for the “Azzurre” one way or another: “We want to get to the quarter-finals. And we’re glad that Valentina is back with us because she’s important to us and will be I’m sure I’ll do everything I can to play.”
Belgium wants to build on France’s performance
Statistically, the Italians go into the duel with the Belgians as favorites. Six of the nine comparisons so far with the “Red Flames” have been won, the last defeat against coach Ives Serneels’ selection was four years ago. But the number salad in no way discourages the supposed outsider. “If we play against Italy like we did against France, we have a chance to win,” said captain Tessa Wullaert. Despite the 2-1 defeat against the French, she was “very proud” of her team, added the former Bundesliga attacker at VfL Wolfsburg.
She pointed out that upcoming opponents Italy had been beaten 5-1 by ‘Les Bleues’, while Belgium just narrowly lost to France, who had already qualified for the quarter-finals. And: “We continue to develop during the tournament.” Should this also be the case against the “Azzure” and second place in the group achieved, Wullaert and Co. would make history.
Because Belgium’s footballers have never reached a quarter-final at a European Championship. However, after 2017, the “Red Flames” are only taking part in a European Championship for the second time.