With the 2023 World Cup on the horizon, Italy Women will be hoping to build confidence in the Arnold Clark Cup tournament, which is taking place in England.
They begin their campaign at Stadium MK on Thursday against Belgium Women, who were unable to qualify for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Match preview
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After winning only two of their last nine internationals, Italy will want to use the Arnold Clark Cup as an opportunity to build confidence after struggling to find their best form in recent times.
The Azzurre fared well in the 2019 World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals where they were knocked out by eventual runners-up Netherlands, but they failed to make any meaningful impact in last year's European Championships.
Milena Bertolini's side crashed out in the group stage after losing to France and Belgium, while they could only pick up a point from their meeting with Iceland.
Italy head into Thursday's contest off the back of three narrow defeats after losing 1-0 to Brazil, Austria and Northern Ireland.
With the friendly tournament operating in a round-robin format and European champions and Arnold Clark Cup holders England to come in their second game, Italy will know that a win is needed on Thursday if they have realistic aspirations of winning the tournament.
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Belgium, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup after they lost 2-1 to Portugal in the first round of the playoffs in October.
Tessa Wullaert equalised from the spot after Diana Silva had given Portugal the lead, but Fatima Pinto's 89th-minute winner quashed Belgium's World Cup dreams.
While Belgium will not be in Australia and New Zealand later this year, the upcoming mini-tournament will provide them with the opportunity to test themselves against World Cup playing nations.
The Belgian Red Flames acquitted themselves well in Euro 2023, progressing from the group stage before they were narrowly beaten by Sweden in the quarter-finals.
Belgium have also demonstrated that they have an eye for goal after winning two of their last three games by 7-0 scorelines.
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Team News
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AC Milan goalkeeper Laura Giuliani will feature in goal for the Italians, and she could be protected by a back three made up of Martina Lenzini, Elena Linari and Maria Luisa Filangeri.
Manuela Giugliano and Giada Greggi have been key players in a Roma side who are eight points clear at the top of Serie A, and they are expected to feature in central midfield alongside Martina Rosucci, who plays for their domestic rivals Juventus.
Bertolini has an array of forward options to call upon, including Roma's Valentina Giacinti, and she is set to feature in a front two with Inter Milan's Elisa Polli.
As for the visitors, goalkeeper Nicky Evrard could be shielded by the central defensive pairing of Sari Kees and Laura De Neve.
Reading's Justine Vanhaevermaet is expected to operate in a midfield three alongside Julie Biesmans and Kassandra Missipo.
Wullaert will be given the responsibility of leading the line after scoring four goals in her last three international appearances
Italy Women possible starting lineup:
Giuliani; Lenzini, Linari, Filangeri; Bonansea, Greggi, Rosucci, Giugliano, Boattin; Polli, Giacinti
Belgium Women possible starting lineup:
Evrard; Cayman, Kees, De Neve, Philtjens; Biesmans Vanhaevermaet, Missipo; Dhont, Eurlings, Wullaert
We say: Italy Women 2-1 Belgium Women
Although Italy have lost their last two meetings with Belgium, they may have extra motivation to claim three points with the World Cup around the corner, which we believe will spur them on to claim a narrow victory.
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