3 Reasons To Make The Trip To Rome This October

by Eleanor Saliba

Malta’s Women’s National Team will face Italy’s finest at the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome on the 25th of October at 18:15. There’s three reasons why you should be making the trip to watch it live this October.

1. An Emotional Meet That Demands A Great Atmosphere

The teams will face each other for the first time since 2019. While Italy remains one of the strongest teams in the world, they have had their fair share of hurdles to overcome in recent years. However, Andrea Soncin’s arrival as head coach has seen the side deliver in the last round of the UEFA Women’s European Qualification matches, topping Group A1 to secure early qualification in the EURO finals to be held in Switzerland next year.

On their part, Italy will be looking to display their prowess at home, as they prepare for the European Finals. The friendly against Malta will be played on the 25th of October and will be followed by one against the world champions Spain, which will be played on the 29th of October at Romeo Menti in Vicenza.

Italy have already secured qualification to next summer’s UEFA EURO finals to be held in Switzerland. Credit: UEFA.

The Italians come into the fixture against Malta with history on their side, having won the two fixtures by 2-0 and 5-0 in 2019. On the other hand, since then, Malta has undergone its own share of change, while continuing to develop quite a few strong talents.

Malta’s women’s national team made positive strides after securing promotion in the inaugural UEFA Women’s Nations League matches, following which the side delivered promising showings against League B opposition, of Portugal, Northern Ireland and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Under Manuela Tesse’s leadership, Malta is a team that is unafraid to go forward and find goals, against whichever opposition.

The visitors will be missing a few key experienced individuals, including Birkirkara duo Janice Xuereb and Stephania Farrugia as they recover from ACL injuries. However, Manuela Tesse’s side will certainly take to Rome with the intention of putting all lessons learned in the past years with the aim of proving that they’ve grown since the two nations’ last meet.

Ranked fourteenth in the world, Italy will be the strongest FIFA World Ranked opposition that Malta will face under Manuela Tesse’s leadership since she took over the side. The emotional pot will be further stirred with the Sardinian coach leading Malta against her own country for the first time.

Finally, the match will be played in the home of AS Roma’s women’s team stadium, the Stadio Tre Fontane in Rome. Watching the two nations go at it in a stadium that fits 4,000 spectators puts those in the stands right into the thick of the action in a way that few other stadiums do, making for a unique night.

The Stadio Tre Fontane, home of AS Roma Femminile, will host the friendly between Italy and Malta. Credit: Roma.

2. A Chance To See The Stars You’ve Missed

While we are a few weeks away from knowing the exact names that will be selected by the two coaches, there’s no doubt that this match will present the opportunity for those in the stands to see some exciting talents.

On Italy’s side, the likes of Roma’s Manuela Giugliano, Valentina Giacinti and Elena Linari, Inter’s Elisa Bartoli, Milan’s Laura Giuliani and Fiorentina’s Agnese Bonfantini, are all big names that have delivered for club and country on the big stages. They could feature in the match, while it is likely that Andrea Soncin could utilise the fixture to try a few new things as the side seeks to evolve under his tenure.

Likewise, Malta will bring its own talents who will eye a strong impression against the hosts. Serie A fans will be familiar with the likes of Haley Bugeja, Rachel Cuschieri and Emma Lipman. Meanwhile, the Italians will certainly keep an eye on Maria Farrugia who continues to ply her trade in England and impressed in the previous round of qualifications.

They will continue to be backed by a number of established talents who grace the Maltese league, potentially including Brenda Borg, Charlene Zammit, Emma Xuereb, Ann-Marie Said, Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit, who continue to prove their worth on international level. They will be supported by those rising under their stewardship, including the likes of Valentina Rapa and Kailey Willis, as well as potentially a few more new names.

Those in Malta who have been seeing the headlines of the likes of Lexine Farrugia and Sara Saliba making strides in the Primavera selections, could see them on their new turf. The two were handed their senior national debut last July against Northern Ireland and Portugal, respectively, and good performances could see them return. All depends on Manuela Tesse’s selection.

3. An Opportunity To Write History In A City Embodied By It

The match between Italy and Malta’s women’s national teams will be played on Friday in Rome. However, those interested could make the trip a day earlier to catch Roma’s men’s team play their UEFA Europa League tie against Dynamo Kyiv at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday evening.

The two matches already should make any football fan excited, and while one can never advocate for too many football matches, Rome does present plenty of sights beyond the football pitch. It makes the opportunity to spend the rest of the weekend in Rome a no brainer.

Most importantly, come rain or shine, Malta’s Women’s National Team has certainly continued to bow its head and swim against the current. However, having a stronghold of supporters backing them against such strong opposition will certainly be a welcome boost.

Away support is a sight that is yet to materialise for Malta’s women’s national team. It’s high time that changed. Booking a trip to Rome is perhaps just the most poetic way to do that.