The Italy Women’s National Team will need to avoid defeat against South Africa in their final Group G game if the Azzurre are to progress to the knockout rounds of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Milena Bertolini‘s side started well in New Zealand with a 1-0 win over Argentina in their opening game, but Cristiana Girelli‘s looping late header papered over the cracks of a performance that saw the Azzurre again struggle to carve out too many opportunities. All of their problems were exposed in the following game against Sweden, which ended in a 5-0 hammering.
Now, Italy know that a draw against South Africa should see them through to the Round of 16 on four points, but a win confirms their progression with Sweden set to advance as Group G winners.
South Africa vs Italy: Predicted line-ups
All eyes will be on Bertolini ahead of Wednesday’s game and her XI, with the Azzurre boss’ selections so far leaving a lot of fans scratching their heads. Having worked on lining up with a back three (or five) ahead of the trip to New Zealand, and building the squad with that in mind, Italy have lined up with a four-player defence. In midfield and attack, it hasn’t been all that easy to work out how the Azzurre have been told to line up.
Teenagers Giulia Dragoni (16) and Chiara Beccari (18) have started each of the two games so far, but there may now be a temptation to bring in more experienced heads after the hammering against Sweden and Bertolini‘s faith in her youngsters will be tested. Sofia Cantore should appear in the XI again after being the best Italian on the pitch on Saturday, though Girelli might come in and see Cantore shifted to the left or right.
South Africa predicted XI vs Italy (4-4-2): Swart; Ramalepe, Mbane, Gamede, Dhlamini; Cesane, Jane, Motlhalo, Magaia; Seoposenwe, Kgatlana.
Italy predicted XI vs South Africa (4-3-2-1): Durante; Di Guglielmo, Salvai, Linari, Boattin; Giugliano, Dragoni, Caruso; Bonansea, Beccari; Cantore.
South Africa vs Italy: When does the Women’s World Cup fixture start?
The Women’s World Cup Group G fixture of South Africa vs Italy is set to kick off at 19:00 NZST, local time in Wellington, New Zealand. That makes it a 08:00 BST kick-off in the United Kingdom and Ireland on the morning of Wednesday, August 2. It starts at 09:00 CEST in Italy.
For those watching 2023 Women’s World Cup fixture of South Africa vs Italy in the United States of America, the game kicks off at 03:00 EST / 00:00 PST.
South Africa vs Italy: Where to watch the Women’s World Cup fixture?
The 2023 Women’s World Cup fixture of South Africa vs Italy in the United Kingdom on Saturday morning can be viewed on BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website. South Africa vs Italy is on RTE 2 in Ireland and on the RTE Player.
In the United States of America, 2023 Women’s World Cup fixture of South Africa vs Italy is on Peacock and Fox Sports 1, as well as the Fox Sports app.
