Women’s football, Italy beats Switzerland and approaches the World Cup

This time, against Switzerland, we smile. With Thun’s 1-0 scored by Cristiana Girelli’s free-kick with 8 minutes left, Italy set the arrow: it’s overtaking. Two days before the end of the qualifying round, now Milena Bertolini’s girls have destiny in their hands: in Moldova and against Romania, on 2 and 6 September, two wins will be enough to get the ticket for Australia and the New Zealand (locations of the final round in 2023).

WORLDWIDE NEAR

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Switzerland, which had won the first leg direct match in Palermo last November (with Italy decimated by Covid), last Friday’s draw in Romania also cost dearly. Italy has already beaten Moldova 3-0 and Romania 5-0: they will not be impossible opponents to overcome, but woe to be distracted. “We are very happy, the girls were good at staying in the game until the end, believing in the possibility of doing it – the words of the coach -. The team sought the victory and deserved it. Now it all depends on us: we have two games, we’ll think about it in September, but we have taken an important step towards this World Cup, important for the girls and for the whole movement “.

FIRST HALF

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Against a Switzerland that would have sufficed to draw, Bertolini confirmed the 4-3-3 he saw last Friday in Parma against Lithuania: Bartoli low on the right instead of Bergamaschi, Galli for Rosucci in the middle, Cernoia, Bonansea and Girelli in front. The first real attempt by Italy was from Cernoia: left foot from the short side of the area and response with a hand from Thalmann, a goalkeeper who has played in our championship for many years. After a weak header by Girelli, on the other side Giuliani was very good on the attempt from outside by Crnogorcevic, the reigning European champion with Barcelona. Italy played better, but Switzerland (who for all 90 minutes mainly thought about defending) didn’t have to suffer too much to go to the break at 0-0.

SHOOTING

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The blues have closed their opponents in their half of the field also in the second half, but there have not been many opportunities: a high right from Galli and a header from Girelli just outside on a corner kick. Bertolini tried to insert Bergamaschi first for Cernoia, then Rosucci and Sabatino for Giugliano and Caruso. An inactive ball was thus served to unlock the game and unleash the joy of Italy: on Girelli’s free-kick, Folmli’s detour with the tail of his hair sent the ball into the goal without Thalmann being able to intervene. Italy is armored with Lenzini for Bonansea passing to 3-5-2: mission accomplished, for a victory of inestimable importance.

UNDER 19

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In the afternoon another joy came against Switzerland: Enrico Sbardella’s Under 19 national team qualified for the final phase of the European Championship. At the Euganeo in Padua, the azzurrine won 3-1 thanks to three goals from Juventus players: a brace from Elisa Pfattner and a goal from Nicole Arcangeli. Italy finished in first place a group completed by Bosnia and Hungary: from June 27 to July 9 the Czech Republic will play for the title.