The Italy Football Country, but not yet that of Women's Football, tends to change the habits to encourage those players who play in Italy.

The first player in this development is probably the women's clubs, which build the future of their sport, in a women's championship that becomes more and more attractive over the years.

The national team is currently 13th in the FIFA rankings but does not shine on the international scene, is it the fault of the championship, the Italian federation, lack of media coverage and interest for clubs and players, or at the football game level in Italy? The facts are numerous and it will be difficult to know because this is a problem that is internal to the country.

We had already realized the interview of a captain of the Italian selection, Martina Rosucci: https://www.coeursdefoot.fr/events/competitions-internationales/martina-rosucci-le-reve-dune-grande-italie

Today, we went to meet the reigning Italian Champion, "AGSM Verona" to get his opinion on the Women's Football in Italy, on his championship, his club, the Champions League ...

The history in brief of the club

Founded in 1995 under the name "ASD Bardolino Verona CF", he was promoted to Serie A in 1997. The club won the championship 5 times (2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2015) and won the Italian Cup , 3 times (2006, 2007 and 2009).

In September 2013 the club received a permission from the Italian Football Federation to change the name of the club to "AGSM Verona".

Patrizia Panico (here in yellow jersey and shorts) is a true legend of women's football in Italy and at 40 years the player is always present on the field, with the club of Verona.

With 196 appearances in the Italian national team and 107 goals scored in those matches, Patrizia Panico has joined the Italian club, AGSM Verona since the 2014 season, raising the Italian championship trophy the same year!

Her track record would make some players feel better: 10 times Italian champion, 5 times winner of the Italian Cup, 8 times winner of the Italian Supercup. On top of that, she was 14-time top scorer in Italy, 3-time top scorer in the Italian Cup and 2-time top scorer in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Interview with Daniele Perina, in charge of the club's communication:

Tell us about the women's football season in Italy?

Serie A (Ligue 1) has been refitted and renovated, especially with the reduction of the number of teams to 12, in order to increase competitiveness and interest. For this reason, the championship started very late (October 17) and will end in May.

You won the championship last year. What are your goals for this new season?

Our goal is to stay in the top spot, but it's not going to be easy as we have at least four teams at the same level. In addition, we also have other challenges, including the Champions League and Coppa Italia.

Can you tell us about your first match, won 5-4? What are your goals in this competition?

We have good experience in the Champions League. We participated in 7 editions (our club was previously called "Bardolino Verona") and in 2008 we joined the semifinal with an audience of 14,000 spectators at the Bentegodi Stadium for the match against Frankfurt. In total we played 35 games in the Champions League (17 wins, 3 draws, 15 defeats).
The match in Austria was special because the championship had already started for two months for the team of St. Polten, we had not played in official matches yet and therefore our preparation could not be optimal.

Your draw (2-2) in the return leg? This home game was more difficult?

In this home game, to get the qualification, St.Polten had to score two goals without conceding any, so the team tried to attack. But we managed to equalize twice, despite a level of preparation not optimal (the championship had just started).

Have you recruited players this season?

Yes, Denmark's Kur Larsen, Scottish goalkeeper Rachel Harrison, forward Valeria Pirone. In addition we have recovered the defender Veronica Belfanti after one year of loan.

Do you receive funding from the Italian Football Federation?

Not at the moment. We have disputes about registration fees, but a program to publicize the championship through the media (TV, press) is under consideration.

Italy is a rather "macho" country, do you see an evolution? Do you have an equality committee for the development of women's football?

Yes, the situation is changing rather well. The Italian Football Federation has appointed a commission to promote women's football development initiatives.

Do you have international players, Italian or foreign?

Yes, we have 5 Italian internationals, a Scottish, a Danish, a Swedish and a Swiss.

What are the bonuses and bonuses available for your players?

It depends on their experience and their international level. Some players live in apartments funded by the club.

Do you have difficulties in your club? What change do you expect in your championship? This one does not seem to attract a lot of foreign players, how would you propose to counter this tendency?

We hope that initiatives will be launched quickly to give us more visibility and attract major sponsors.

This banner displayed during a match of the Italian "Supercopa" between Brescia (Vice-champion) and Verona (Champion title) to denounce the insufficient attention of the institutions for Women's Football.

This shows a real desire of these clubs to fight, to continue to support their players so that they are much better recognized in Italy!

After facing Rosengard, (ex-Malmö) in 2012-2013, you are again facing the Swedish club, do you think you can finally pass the club (just Sweden Champion) or the level of the Swedish championship is far too high by report to the Italian championship? Do you know the game against Rosengard? What is your opinion of this club, its game, its players?

Rosengard is a very good team with some of the best players in the world. The team is probably favorite, especially since unfortunately we have a lot of injuries right now. But the ball is round, it's still too early to draw conclusions.

The Verona - Rosengard match will be broadcast live on the national sports channel Sport 1 - Odeon Tv.

You are affiliated to the Verona men's club "Hellas Verona FC"? How is the link between the two male and female sections?

We have established a very close collaboration with the professional men's football club Hellas Verona. The football school is unified and the Champions League matches are organized by the men's football club. And we have planned to further develop this collaboration in the coming months.

You also have a football school to train young players, what are the numbers, are you recognized by the state, is this a useful for the development of Women's Football in Italy?

We have three junior teams and a five-foot soccer team. The FIGC is initiating several new high-profile projects aimed at developing women's football.

Champions league:
First leg against Rosengard at home (November 12) and away game (November 19).

Daniele Perina
Communication Officer, ASD AGSM Verona CF

With the agreement of the state channel, a sports program was produced thanks to the joint efforts of the company, the National Amateur League and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), thus confirming the interest of all the components in the development and promotion of football practiced by women in Italy. As we know, the Women's Champions League final 2015-2016 will take place in Italy, more precisely at the Tricolore Stadium in Reggio Emilia, scheduled for May 26, 2016.

It is therefore a major challenge for Italy to democratize Women's Football in her country, and to make her place in the international circle of these great teams.

Nota Bene :

Sara Gama, at PSG last year, led her Brescia club to victory over Liverpool in their first Champions League match this season!

Dounia Mesli & Anna Lisa