(PRIMASPORT) FLORENCE The Italy women's national soccer team has qualified for the 2027 World Cup playoff final in Brazil after a 1-1 draw against Belarus in Florence in the second leg of the play-off. The first leg ended with a 2-0 victory for the Azzurri.
Coach Andrea Soncin, speaking to Rai, emphasized that the team had achieved its goal: "We achieved our objective: to reach the playoff final. That's what we wanted before this double-header." The coach admitted some inevitable difficulties during the return leg: "Maybe we could have done better today, but we're really eager to arrive in better shape in November after having recovered.".
Reflecting on the performance, Soncin highlighted a lesson in mentality: "We were in control after Bonansea's lead, but instead of accelerating, we adapted to their passivity. We're working to avoid settling.".
The decisive match will be against Finland in a double-header very different from the one against Belarus. "We'll face a well-organized team with a different approach. We'll have time to analyze and study, but for now, we've overcome the first step," Soncin concluded. (PRIMASPORT)
