Italian
The women’s national football team wins 6-0 in Serbia and is still in the running for direct qualification to the World Cup in Brazil
LESKOVAC (SERBIA) – To continue the World Cup dream, a win was necessary, perhaps with an eye on the goal difference since only the top-ranked team will secure direct passage to Brazil. The women’s national team didn’t need to be asked twice and returns to victory after nine long months.
It had indeed been since the victory in the quarter-finals against Norway at the European Championship that the Azzurre had not celebrated. In between, friendly matches with the best teams in the world (USA above all), and then the first two matches of the qualifying group with the defeat against Sweden and the draw with Denmark.
A growth path that yesterday at the Dubočica Stadium in Leskovac bore fruit. Six goals, each more beautiful than the last, another unjustly disallowed, and a crossbar hit by Bonfantini at the end. Of course, Serbia was young and had many important absences, but at least the race for the World Cup is now completely open with Italy in second place, Sweden 3 points behind the leaders Denmark, against whom we will clash on Saturday at 3 PM (live on Rai 2).
In the meantime, the National Team can enjoy the excellent performance highlighted by the goals of Girelli, Oliviero, and Lenzini in the first half and Caruso, Cantore, and Greggi in the second half. A celebration within a celebration for the hundredth match in the blue jersey for the player from Istrana, Manuela Giugliano.
The satisfaction of the coach Andrea Soncin at the end of the match is clear:
“It’s the result we were looking for and it allows us to approach the next match with even more confidence. There was a lot of energy from everyone, but we need to think about the match in Copenhagen right away because we want to keep fighting for our dream.”
The match
The starting eleven in blue features some surprises compared to usual. In goal, the certainty Giuliani with in front Salvai and Lenzini and, surprisingly, Soffia instead of Linari. On the wings Oliviero and Glionna and in the center Caruso, Giugliano, and Greggi. In attack, captain Girelli with Dragoni between the lines as already happened against Denmark.
The start of Italy is aggressive. Following in succession are Caruso, Glionna, and Dragoni. At the 17th minute, Girelli heads it under the crossbar, but the shout gets stuck in her throat because the goal is disallowed for a questionable offside. It’s just a rehearsal; two minutes later, the Treviso player Giugliano provides another perfect assist to her head. The captain doesn’t miss and scores her 62nd goal in the blue jersey.
The hosts are looking for a timid reaction but it is Oliviero who doubles the score in the 36th minute with a shot slightly deflected by the opponent that goes under the crossbar. Second goal for the Lazio player in the National team after the one at the European Championship with Spain. First joy in Azzurro for Lenzini in the last corner kick of the first half. The teams head to the locker rooms with a score of 3-0.
Italy continues to dominate the game even in the second half. At the 61st minute, the fourth goal arrives thanks to a long-range shot from Caruso. With the result secure, the coach gives a breather to the most fatigued players by bringing on Beccari, Piemonte, Bonfantini, Schatzer, and Cantore. It is actually the latter who scores from the edge of the box in the 88th minute, making it 5-0.
The Azzurre don’t stop, Bonfantini hits the crossbar, and in the continuation of the action, it’s Greggi with a curled shot that seals the match with a final score of 6-0. A result that matters especially for morale, but now everything will be at stake on Saturday at the Parken Stadion in Copenhagen.
The scorecard
SERBIA-ITALY 0-6 (pt 0–3)
SERBIA (4-3-3): Kostic; Petrovic, Slovic, Damjanovic, Saric (from 68’ Gajic); Mijatovic (from 46’ Sremcevic), Blagojevic (from 68’ Scepanovic), Stupar; Cavic (from 46’ Bulatovic), Matejic, Stokic. Substitutes: Cetinja, Aleksic, Gakovic, Matijevic, Ilic, Ciric. Coach: Stojkanovic
ITALY (3-5-2): Giuliani; Lenzini, Salvai, Soffia; Glionna (from 28’ st Bonfantini), Caruso (from 20’ st Beccari), Giugliano (from 35’ st Schatzer), Greggi, Oliviero; Dragoni (from 20’ st Cantore), Girelli (from 20’ st Piemonte). Bench: Baldi, Gilardi, Bergamaschi, Di Guglielmo, Linari, Galli, Severini. Coach: Soncin
Referee: Eleni Antoniu (GRE); Assistants: Maria Detsi (GRE), Angeliki Athanasopoullou (CIP); Fourth official: Glykeria Papakonstantinou (GRE)
Goals: 19’ pt Girelli (I), 36’ pt Oliviero (I), 45’ pt Lenzini (I), 16’ st Caruso (I), 43’ st Cantore (I), 48’ st Greggi
Note: Spectators 685. Ammonite Caruso (I), Bergamaschi (I), Linari (I)
Calendar, results, and standings of Group 1 (League A)
1st matchday: Denmark-Serbia 3-1, ITALY-Sweden 0-1
Matchday 2: Serbia-Sweden 0-0, ITALY-Denmark 1-1
Matchday 3: Serbia-ITALY 0-6, Sweden-Denmark 1-2
Ranking: Denmark 7 points, Sweden and Italy 4, Serbia 1
4th day (April 18): Denmark-ITALY, Sweden-Serbia
5th matchday (June 5): Denmark-Sweden, ITALY-Serbia
6th matchday (June 9): Serbia-Denmark, Sweden-ITALY
Photo Credits: Figc.it
