The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is now upon us and Italy are ready to prove themselves in a land down under, Apollo Heyes details.
The tournament kicks off with New Zealand’s opener against Norway at 8am UK time on July 20 and finishes off on August 20 with the final.
Italy (16th in the FIFA rankings) have been drawn into Group G at the World Cup, facing them up Sweden (3rd), Argentina (28th), and South Africa (54th), giving them a strong shot of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Italy’s schedule at the 2023 World Cup: Argentina on July 24 (07:00 UK time), Sweden on July 29 (08:30), and South Africa on August 2 (08:00).
Italy have a point to prove in New Zealand after their poor showing at the European Championships last year. The Azzurre had impressed at the previous World Cup in 2019, reaching the quarter-finals, but they were unable to replicate this success in England.
Milena Bertolini’s side finished bottom of Group D with one point, drawing with Iceland and losing to Belgium and France. It was not a positive showing for the national team, giving them a lot to work on ahead of the World Cup.
Changes have been made to the Italy squad of four years prior; Valentina Bergamaschi, Martina Piemonte, Aurora Galli and Sara Gama have all been dropped to make space for new blood, with Bertolini calling up younger talents like Giulia Dragoni and Chiara Beccari in their place.
The Azzurre are able to line-up with both a three and four-man defence but will likely rely on a 4-3-3 system in New Zealand, with Manuela Giugliano playing a vital role as the deep-lying playmaker, sitting just in front of the defence to help screen attacks and kickstart fast build-ups.
Bertolini’s side are comfortable in possession and will be patient in build-up, able to progress through the centre or out wide. Things can be a little shaky defensively, so Italy need to make their chances count if they want to reach the knock-out stages.
Coach: Milena Bertolini
Bertolini has been an incredibly important figure for the Azzurre since her appointment in 2017 and the last six years have been filled with highs and lows. She took the team to a new level and matched Italy’s best ever performance at a World Cup in 2019 when she guided them to the quarter-finals.
In recent times, things have been less positive for the 57-year-old. Italy’s regression at the 2022 European Championship pilled the pressure on the coach and an unimpressive showing in New Zealand would likely spell the end of her time in charge.
Key player: Valentina Giacinti
The 29-year-old forward is entering the tournament with a spring in her step after her incredible debut season at Roma. The former Milan striker played a crucial role in guiding the club to their first ever Scudetto, netting 13 goals and providing four assists in 25 league matches.
Giacinti was one of Italy’s best players in their qualifying run to the 2023 World Cup, scoring seven and assisting four across eight matches, and she’ll be hungry to take the Azzurre to new heights in Oceania.
One to watch: Giulia Dragoni
The 16-year-old was a surprise inclusion in Italy’s World Cup squad but it’s not hard to see why Bertolini gave her the call-up. The talented midfielder left Inter to join Barcelona in January – becoming the foreign female player at La Masia – and has quickly attracted attention for her stylish dribbling, creativity and technical abilities.
Dragoni is expected to break into the Barcelona first team next season, and whilst she isn’t set for a regular role at the World Cup, the experience will undoubtedly prove important as she works to grow into a star.
Words: @ApolloHeyes