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    Italy vs. Cymru | 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – UWNL League Stage – Grp A4

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        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Wilkinson reflects on Monza positives

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson lamented a poor start to the game that allowed Italy to score the only goal of the game but the Cymru head coach can take positives from the performance.

          “It’s a 1-0 loss and I am annoyed, which is a testament to the team and how well they played,” said Wilkinson to BBC Sport Wales after the Nations League defeat. We weren’t caught cold at the beginning, I think we were nervous and we let our fear root us to the spot a bit.

          “It took four minutes and a kick in the teeth for us to realise we can play. I thought our system worked, our players found great spaces and I’m a proud coach. We gave a first cap to Mared Griffiths and a first start for Mayzee Davies, so there are a lot of positives to take away, but we are frustrated with the score.

          “We had a 100th cap from Hayley and I wouldn’t be surprised if Mayzee gets 100 caps as well, if not more.”

        4. Mayzee Davies receives the EE Player of the Match award on her first senior start

        5. Match Summary

          This was always going to be a difficult test for Cymru but they depart Monza with their heads held high after an impressive performance. The positives ranged from individual performances to the collective team play that caused problems for Italy throughout the 2nd half, and while they did not take a point from this opening game, the experience will serve the side well with a huge year ahead of them.

          Italy enjoyed the perfect start as Barbara Bonansea jumped above Hannah Cain after five minutes to head the ball past goalkeeper Olivia Clark. It was Italy’s third corner as they made an aggressive start to the match, but after Clark made a double-save minutes after conceding the opening goal, Cymru defended well and quickly settled into the pace of the game, with Hayley Ladd captaining the side on her 100th appearance.

          Rhian Wilkinson raised eyebrows by handing 18-year old Mayzee Davies her first senior start, but the Manchester City defender cut an assured figure against a dangerous Italian frontline and appeared more confident with every touch of the ball. The game settled down too, and Cymru enjoyed more possession midway through the half. Although they struggled to retain the ball, a much more even game emerged.

          Cymru had a great chance on 22 minutes when Angharad James found herself in acres in space on the edge of the area and curled her shot past Laura Giuliani, but found the outside of the post instead of the net. In the following exchanges, both Jess Fishlock and Carrie Jones had efforts on goal save by the Italian goalkeeper as the home side retained their 1-0 lead at half-time.

          Ffion Morgan replaced Jones at half-time and Cymru made a very positive start by forcing a series of free-kicks just outside the Italian penalty area. Lily Woodham was a thorn in the Italian side throughout the match and tried her luck from distance on the hour mark, but her shot went narrowly wide.

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson suggested pre-match there would be a degree of experimentation with her squad. With Davies impressing in defence, 17-year old Mared Griffiths was then handed her senior debut from the bench with 20 minutes remaining along with Lois Joel, and Cymru continued to cause problems for the Italians who were visibly frustrated by their inability to regain control of the game.

          As Cymru pushed forward for the equaliser they became more vulnerable in defence, and Clark had to be at her best to save from close range against substitute Martina Piemonte with 10 minutes remaining. Michela Cambiaghi should have done better a few minutes later as she collected a ball over the top of the defence, but could not direct her effort on target.

          Clark was again equal to Cambiaghi in injury-time as Italy created a number of chances but could not find the goal to double their lead and make the game safe. Despite the defeat, Cymru stepped-up to the challenge, and now have a real understanding of the level required to compete at this level as they prepare to face Sweden on Tuesday night.

        6. Full-time verdict: Despite the final scoreline, Rhian Wilkinson will take plenty of positives from this performance against quality opposition. Cymru quickly recovered from a concerning start to the match that saw Italy take the lead in the opening exchanges, but the 2nd half proved to be a very different story as the visitors dictated matters for long-periods. However, while Italy held on to their lead and had chances to double it in the final exchanges, Cymru rose to this opening League A challenge with character and belief and must now take this into the game against Sweden next week.

        7. 90' + 3'

          Yellow card

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        8. 90' + 3'

          Yellow card

          EVANS Gemma Jayne

        9. Teenage defender Mayzee Davies has impressed on her first senior start

        10. 88'

          Cymru really defending for their lives as Italy create chance after chance.

        11. 85'

          Substitution

          GREEN Josie replaces ROBERTS Rhiannon

        12. 85'

          Substitution

          ESTCOURT Charlotte replaces CAIN Hannah

        13. 85'

          Substitution

          ANNAMARIA SERTURINI replaces ELISABETTA OLIVIERO

        14. 83'

          A great chance for Italy but Cambiaghi can only place her effort wide of the post.

        15. 80'

          What a save that was by Clark from close range as substitute Piemonte is denied.

        16. 78'

          Substitution

          MARTINA PIEMONTE replaces SOFIA CANTORE

        17. A senior debut for 17-year old Mared Griffiths

        18. 78'

          Substitution

          BEATRICE MERLO replaces BARBARA BONANSEA

        19. Jess Fishlock carries the ball forward

        20. 75'

          No surprise to see Italy edging their way back into this game now. They have withstood long periods without possession but Cymru have not been able to bring themselves level.

        21. 69'

          Substitution

          GRIFFITHS Mared Alaw replaces HOLLAND Ceri

        22. 68'

          Substitution

          JOEL Lois replaces FISHLOCK Jessica Anne

        23. 67'

          Another scare for Cymru but Linari can only direct her header wide.

        24. Rhiannon Roberts goes in for a tackle

        25. 63'

          Substitution

          MICHELA CAMBIAGHI replaces CRISTIANA GIRELLI

        26. 63'

          Substitution

          GIULIA DRAGONI replaces GIADA GREGGI

        27. 61'

          Cymru have enjoyed a really good 15 minute spell but need to make this possession in the Italian half count as they remain a goal behind. The home side are struggling to get a hold of the game.

        28. 60'

          Clark called into action as Cymru make their own problems at the back. A timely warning that this Italian side remain dangerous opposition.

        29. Lily Woodham has been at her tenacious best this evening

        30. 55'

          A bit of frustration creeping into the Italian side. Cymru have really taken the game to their opponents since the re-start and are showing they deserve to be at this level.

        31. Ceri Holland is challenged in midfield

        32. The Red Wall are in good spirits in Monza despite the scoreline

        33. 49'

          A positive start to the 2nd half as Cymru force two free-kicks on the edge of the Italian penalty area. The introduction of Morgan for Jones at half-time will bring a different dynamic to the attack.

        34. Rhian Wilkinson will be pleased with the way her side reacted after conceding an early goal

        35. Half-time verdict: Teenager Mayzee Davies was handed her first start in defence and it looked like it would be a baptism of fire as Italy forced three corners in the opening exchanges and scored at the third attempt through Barbara Bonansea. However, Cymru recovered after a nervy start and began to ask questions of their own, with Angharad James hitting the post before Jess Fishlock and Carrie Jones had efforts saved by goalkeeper Laura Giuliani. Italy remained dangerous in attack throughout, but their lead stays at just one goal heading into half-time.

        36. Hayley Ladd, leading the team on her 100th cap, plays the ball forward

        37. 36'

          Yellow card

          JONES Carrie

        38. 36'

          A great first touch from Jones in the area opens up enough space for her to shoot but Giuliani again makes the save.

        39. 34'

          Fishlock with the first effort on target for Cymru but her header falls straight into the arms of Giuliani. More positive signs for the visitors after a worrying start.

        40. Hannah Cain in possession

        41. 29'

          Much better from Cymru as some neat build-up play leads to a corner, their first of the match.

        42. 25'

          Bonansea and Cantore combine for Italy but their effort is narrowly wide. The home side are causing problems for the Cymru defence with each ball forward.

        43. 24'

          Italian corners are a definite concern for Cymru, and were the source of the early goal that still separates the two teams.

        44. 22'

          A great chance for Cymru. James with so much time on the edge of the area, looks up and tries to lift the ball over goalkeeper Giuliani, but hits the outside of the far post. Encouraging signs.

        45. The Cymru starting line-up

        46. 18'

          Cymru need to be better when they do have the ball, but seem to have settled into the match during the last few minutes after that intense start from the Italians and are competing against their opponents.

        48. 13'

          The first encouraging passage of play from Cymru as they enjoy some possession in the Italian half with Ladd, wearing the captain’s armband, having a shot on goal.

        49. 10'

          Girelli’s header from Italy’s fourth corner bounces off the top of Clark’s crossbar. Concern for Cymru as they struggle to get the ball out of their final third.

        50. 9'

          Italy very much in control as Clark makes an impressive double save to prevent the home side extending their lead.

        51. A frustrating start for Rhian Wilkinson as Cymru concede in the opening exchanges.

        52. 5'

          Goal

          BARBARA BONANSEA

        53. 5'

          Goal! Three early corners for Italy and it’s Bonansea who makes the third one count as she rises above Cain to head the ball past Clark.

        54. 1'

          Cymru in red kick-off the new Nations League campaign.

        55. '

          Substitution

          MORGAN Ffion Alys replaces JONES Carrie

        57. The warm-ups are complete and kick-off for this new and exciting League A campaign is fast approaching.

        58. Cymru head coach Rhian Wilkinson spoke to BBC Sport Wales ahead of the match about handing Mayzee Davies her first senior start.

          “It’s an exciting opportunity for her,” said Wilkinson. “She hasn’t had too many caps but she’s surrounded by some real experience and with her qualities we think she can really step-up.

          “For me, it’s about how progress the team, how we give players like Mayzee Davies an opportunity to show what she can do. I believe in the depth of this team but it has to be tested and that’s what these games are for.”

        59. Cymru goalkeeper Olivia Clark goes through her pre-match routine.

        61. The stage is set

          The Stadio Brianteo provides the perfect platform for League A football. The 17,102 capacity venue is the home to Serie A side AC Monza who currently sit bottom of the table.

          Cymru can expect a tough test against an established nation in the European game, but will have the backing of the Red Wall in what is the first match for the side since that famous night in Dublin when EURO qualification was achieved.

        63. The Cymru squad have arrived at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza ready to take on the challenge of Italy in the opening match of the new Nations League campaign.

        64. Cymru Starting XI

          The team news is confirmed as Hayley Ladd takes the captain’s armband as she makes her 100th appearance for Cymru and Rhian Wilkinson gives a first start to Mayzee Davies.

          Hannah Cain and Carrie Jones also start after scoring the goals to take Cymru to UEFA EURO 2025 in the team’s last outing against Republic of Ireland in November.

          Meanwhile, Elise Hughes makes a welcome return following a long-term injury to take her place on the substitutes bench.

        67. Top table

          Cymru trio Ceri Holland, Carrie Jones and head coach Rhian Wilkinson took questions from the media following their final training session today.

          “We’ve had a few really strong days of training before arriving in beautiful Italy, the sun is out and there’s a great energy,” said Wilkinson. “We’ve got a fantastic six-game series to prepare us as best as possible for a historic major tournament, so we have to try things and make sure that we are stepping forward toward the challenge.

          “League A is a privilege to be in, these are the best teams in the world, and my team has earned the right to stand on the field with them. I expect a very good game, I think Italy are one of these teams which has gone unrecognised for their levels in the last few years, and last year showed what they can do. It’s a fantastic test for us.”

          Carrie Jones scored the decisive goal as Cymru qualified for EURO 2025 with victory in Dublin back in December. “It’s a moment that will stick with me for the rest of my life,” she explained. “The season has finished in Sweden so I was able to spend some time with family and friends back home, but now it’s all about looking forward starting with the game tomorrow.”

          All three spoke about Hayley Ladd who will captain the side on her 100th international appearance. “She’s fantastic,” said Holland. “You see it in every game that she plays, the amount of passion that she has for representing her country is special. She’s a great team-mate, and incredible human being who is so king and so caring, and she’s really important to this group.

          “We’re really looking to the challenge of being back in League A and I think Italy will be a very good challenge for us. I don’t see it as daunting, it’s a challenge we want as players. These teams will pose us a different challenge to what was in League B and will improve and test us as a group.”

        70. Final preparations

          The Cymru squad took to the pitch at the Stadio Brianteo earlier today to complete their final training session before taking on Italy in the Nations League tomorrow evening.

          “It’s a fantastic venue,” explained Ceri Holland to the media. “The pitch is fantastic and the girls really enjoyed being in the environment today.”

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson also confirmed that there are no injury concerns within her squad ahead of the match.

        72. Ladd on Cymru cap landmark

          Hayley Ladd is set to make Cymru history on Friday night by becoming the latest centurion and sat down with the media earlier this week to reflect on her international career.

          “I’m incredibly proud to be in this camp at this moment,” Ladd explained. “Potentially reaching that 100th cap is amazing for me and my family.

          “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to work towards ever since being a younger player and seeing the likes of Jess Fishlock and Sophie Ingle reach 100 caps for Wales.

          “I just thought that if I can achieve that in my career then I can retire knowing that I’ve achieved something great.”

          Click here for the full article

        74. Benvenuto

          The Cymru squad arrived in Italy last night ahead of the opening match of the new Nations League campaign on Friday.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s squad will also take on Denmark and Sweden in League A4, with Sweden the next opponents at the STōK Cae Ras in Wrexham on Tuesday night.

          Playing against elite opposition will provide the perfect preparation for Cymru as they look ahead to EURO 2025 and a major tournament debut in Switzerland this summer.

        77. Clark on Cymru and much more

          Cymru goalkeeper Olivia Clark has covered a range of topics in her latest column for BBC Sport ahead of the Nations League opener against Italy on Friday night.

          In addition to the challenge of competing in League A and how it will help the squad prepare for the EURO finals in the summer, Clark reflects on the memorable Play-Off victory over Ireland in Dublin and her decision to return to England with Leicester City.

          “That full-time whistle was a moment where all my emotions flooded over me, I had to sit down and try and take it all in,” she explains. “It was the sort of game where all the hard work to become a professional footballer, it is all worthwhile, you realise why you do everything you do.”

          Click here for the full column on the BBC Sport website

        79. Preparations continue

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground earlier today ahead of the Nations League double-header against Italy and Sweden.

          Meanwhile, Mayzee Davies, Mared Griffiths and Hayley Ladd sat down with the media to discuss the upcoming fixtures as Cymru look to make a positive start to the new campaign.

        81. The Cymru connection

          Former Fiorentina and Atalanta striker Andrea Soncin is the current head coach of the Italian national team that will take on Cymru on Friday night.

          The 46-year old was appointed in September 2023 and will be a familiar face to Cymru men’s star Ethan Ampadu as he coached him during his loan spell at Venezia in the 2021/22 season. Soncin took charge on a caretaker basis for the final five games of the campaign but could not prevent the side from being relegated to Serie B.

          However, Italy head into the match against Cymru on Friday undefeated in their last seven games, and signed off 2024 with an impressive 2-1 friendly win away to Germany. Italy will also join Cymru at EURO 2025 this summer having won their qualification group.

        84. Cymru and the ‘other’ World Cup

          When Cymru head to Monza for Friday’s Nations League match, they will be following the path of the trailblazers of the 1970’s who also represented their country on Italian soil.

          In the summer of 1978, Cymru were invited to participate at the ‘Giochi Internazionali Di Calico Femminile’ (International Women’s Football Games) in Pescara. The competition was not endorsed by UEFA or FIFA and was financed by Italian companies and business entrepreneurs to help promote the women’s game.

          The six teams invited were Italy as hosts along with Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland, Yugoslavia and Cymru. Due to the cost and commitment involved, Cymru headed to Italy without a few of their better players of that era, and were comfortably defeated by Italy and Belgium in the group stage.

          “The Italians were a fantastic side,” Cymru’s Mai Griffith told historian John Carrier. “Mind you, they were all professionals, and would have given most British teams a hard game. Their players were on £200 each to win, while we were just amateurs.” Italy would go on to beat Scotland 4-1 in the final.

          “We were without several of our star players,” Griffith added. “Including our team captain Dianne Totty, who was unable to get time off work. The heat when we trained was in the 80’s in the mornings, and when we played Italy, the temperature was in the 90’s. We were staggered by the welcome we received and we were invited to return the next year.”

        86. Previous meetings

          There have been two previous meetings between Cymru and Italy with the Italians enjoying a perfect record ahead of Friday’s Nations League match in Monza.

          The two nations were paired together at the Cyprus Cup back in March 2018 as Italy claimed a 3-0 victory. Cristiana Girelli scored twice at the GSZ Stadium before Greta Adami added a third from a corner in the final minutes of the match. However, Cymru goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan-Jones (below) did make a penalty save.

          “I am pleased with some areas and not so pleased with others,” said head coach Jayne Ludlow after the match. “We knew we were stepping up a level playing against the Italians. The girls would have learned a lot about aspects of their game.”

          The second match was a January friendly international in 2019 as Cymru made the trip to the Stadio Dino Manuzzi in Cesena as Ilaria Mauro scored twice for the hosts in a 2-0 victory in the snow. Hayley Ladd made her 50th international appearance in the match, and is now set to earn her 100th cap against the same opposition on Friday.

          Despite the result, it was a significant moment for the Cymru team as the player’s names were printed on the back of the match shirts for the very first time.

        87. Welcome back

          The Cymru squad began their preparations for the opening match of the new Nations League campaign earlier today as the squad took to the training ground.

          Rhian Wilkinson’s side achieved promotion to League A and will take on Italy, Sweden and Denmark before heading to Switzerland for EURO 2025 in the summer.

          Cymru suffered just one defeat during 2024 and will look to continue that form when they take on Italy in Monza on Friday.

        90. Squad announcement

          Head coach Rhian Wilkinson has announced her squad ahead of the new UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign as Cymru prepare to take on Italy and Sweden in League A4.

          “We have a perfect run-in to the Euros with top opposition and every team giving us a different challenge,” said Wilkinson at the squad announcement last week. “We need to make sure that anytime we have the opportunity to play top opposition, like in League A, that we make the most of that experience and that we’re brave enough to play, to learn hard lessons, and yet to just make the most of everything we’ve got leading into a history making Euros.”

          Esther Morgan and Elise Hughes make a welcome return to the squad after long-term injuries but Rachel Rowe misses out as she continues her return to fitness. Meanwhile, defender Hayley Ladd is set to become the latest Cymru centurion during this international window having made 99 senior appearances heading into this latest camp.

          The opening match of the new campaign takes place against Italy at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza on Friday, 21 February (17:15) before the side return to the StōK Cae Ras in Wrexham to face Sweden on Tuesday, 25 February (19:15). Click here to buy your match tickets.

        91. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

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                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

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