Last chairback for the places in the second round. At the Women’s World Cup 2019 are the last games in the first round on the program. For the teams that are already through, it’s about the best positioning in the playoffs. This also applies to the team from Italy. The Squadra Azzura is already safe in the next round.
However, the Italians could be group winners, progress as second or even advance as one of the four best group stages in the second round. A point in the final game against Brazil is definitely enough to win the group. The Canarinhas, however, could also retire with a defeat against Italy.
For 20 years, the Italians were no longer at a World Cup and then get two victories in France. You could not have started better. Italy leads the classification with six points. This is followed by Brazil and Australia, each with three counters. Abandoned and only with a theoretical chance of getting ahead is Jamaica in last place. In the duel between Italy and Brazil, the prognosis is already that the Europeans will not lose this game. The Squadra Azzura has made the much better impression so far.
The Selecao came to the World Cup with a horrible record and thought he was on the way to recovery when they beat Jamaica. The real strength, or even the current weakness, but was clear in the 2: 3 defeat against Australia. In this constitution, the South Americans are not a title contender this year. Therefore, we would hold back in the duel between Italy and Brazil with a tip on the Selecao. In our opinion, the Italians in the current form should even be a bit more appraising. The kick-off for the group match at the Women’s World Cup 2019 between Italy and Brazil in the Stade du Hainaut of Valenciennes will take place on 18.06.2019 at 20:00.
Italy :
For many years, Italy has played only a minor role in women’s football. This year, the Squadra Azzura seems to be able to escape from the tight corset of failure. Italy is now a hot candidate for one of the three Olympic tickets for European teams. The Elf of Milena Bertolini has been unbeaten for five games and has recently brought four victories in series. These successes also give the Italian women a mental strength on the way. In addition, you have nothing to lose in the last group match against Brazil.
In the worst case you can get into the next round as one of the four best group stages. With this release in the back, the Squadra Azzura can go completely carefree in this encounter. We therefore think that it might be worthwhile examining the odds for an Italian victory in the duel between Italy and Brazil. As a group first, the upcoming opponents might be Nigeria, China or Chile.
Those are all feasible lots that could bring Italy a step closer to Tokyo 2020. After the unexpected 2: 1-opening victory against the matildas from Australia, the Italians put in the second match against Jamaica a small gala. Especially Cristiana Girelli was unstoppable. For the 1-0, the attacker needed a penalty, which was allowed to be repeated by video evidence after a missed shot.
Afterwards Cristiana Girelli ran hot. She was responsible for the first three goals. Only the halftime prevented the flawless hat-trick. The substitute Aurora Galli put two more goals to 5-0. So it’s great for the Italians. We can imagine that they will do anything to get at least one more point to secure the group victory, which would be accompanied by a supposedly easy opponent in the second round.
Coach Milena Bertolini makes it clear that the fun is in the foreground and that technically fine football should be offered. Everything else will come by itself. We assume that Italy will also go into the race in this last group match with the well-rehearsed formation and should refrain from a larger rotation.
Brazil:
The last few weeks and months have made it increasingly clear that this Brazilian team has obviously exceeded its zenith. The team of Vadao has a negative run, as it is unique in the history of Canarinhas. Ten of the last eleven international matches has lost the Selecao. Actually, a whole nation is also excited about the Brazilian ladies. However, in view of their recent appearances, the home fans will be happy that the Copa America is also running, with successful Brazilian men to date.
A narrow defeat for Brazil could already be enough to qualify for the next round. One point would be safe enough, but then the Brazilians would have to deal with a group winner in the second round. That would almost certainly be Germany or France. To pass Italy, Brazil need a victory with two goals difference. Then at least second place would be safe. What Australia is doing in parallel with Jamaica is beyond its control.
Already the kick-off match against Jamaica has revealed that here and there it hapers in the Brazilian team. Nevertheless, it looked like three World Cup halftime after that, as if the results could conceal the shortcomings. After beating Jamaica 3-0, Brazil defeated Australia with a penalty from Marta and a Cristiane goal as well as a late goal 2-1. In the second section, the Matildas uncovered the weaknesses in Brazil’s back team but relentlessly. The tragic highlight was the own goal of Monica, which sealed the 2: 3 defeat. Brazil is only the second team that has completely lost a two-goal lead at a World Cup.
With the deficiencies in the back team, we would in the duel between Italy and Brazil make a prediction that both teams should meet well. We do not expect that there will be major changes in the Selecao. Marta is still in trouble, but will play again from the start. This does not apply to Formiga, who saw a yellow card in each of the first two group matches. Thus, the oldest World Cup player of all time will have to pause against Italy.
