Cymru defeated but frustrate Italy 

Italy 1-0 Cymru

• Mayzee Davies makes her first senior start 
• Hayley Ladd earns 100th cap
• Italy demonstrate quality of League A
• Cymru play Sweden in Wrexham on Tuesday – Tickets 

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 second 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.

Tickets for the match can be secured by clicking here.