The Italians in the world play-offs, return against Belarus

Hunting for the playoff final which will give away the ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil between the end of November and the beginning of December. It is with this objective that the women's national team will take the field at the Franchi in Florence (start at 6.15pm, live on Rai2) to face Belarus in the second leg semi-final and prepare for the decisive match against the winner between Finland and Serbia (3-1 the first leg). Andrea Soncin's Italian team will start from the advantage they acquired last Friday in the first leg, on neutral ground in Tbilisi, the 2-0 victory coming in the second half thanks to goals from Piemonte and Polli. A result that could have been more rounded given the numerous opportunities created by Italy. "We don't want to think about that match but focus only on tomorrow's match, the girls are very mature, determined, they know the importance of this challenge well - declared the Italian coach -. Qualification must be built step by step and tomorrow's match is a match that represents a decisive step towards the World Cup".

Compared to the first leg, Soncin expects a more aggressive Belarus, "for this reason we will have to be solid, trying to dominate the game and have more concreteness in the area, without forgetting to have fun. We will then try to exploit Franchi's energy because we want to give a good evening, with great confidence and energy". The FIGC commissioner, Giovanni Malagò, and the president of the Club Italia, Claudio Ranieri, are announced in the stands. "The Florence stadium is a lucky charm for us - said captain Cristiana Girelli, recalling the qualification for the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 European Championship obtained on that pitch - We will have to play without making calculations, with the aim of having fun and achieving the objective that is dear to everyone. Going to the World Cup would be important for our sport and our country and would represent for me the culmination and also the end of my career in the blue team. For me, the national team it's always 'home'." Midfielder Caruso and defender Soffia return among the Italians after their suspension.