Italy, a country of football, is struggling to win in women's football, both national in the Champions League and international in major competitions. We wanted to know the reasons with the Italian international and player of Brescia: Martina Rosucci. Interview.
 

"Unfortunately it is not a mystery that women's football in Italy is not developed and that it is behind other international countries.I think the main problem is machismo, a rooted mentality that does not allow in Italy , the growth of any women's sport. " deplores the Italian.

The other real problem is our "status". "We are considered amateurs by the federal regulation, so as long as there are no changes, we can not be included in the men's professional club.This is the only way to gain visibility and especially, a monetary fund sufficient to invest also in women's football. " she stressed.

Soccer Hearts: Can you tell us about yourself?
M.R .: I started playing football at the age of nine, because my twin brother played there too. I am a midfielder with an offensive characteristic. I played in men's teams until I could. My first female team was Torino Calcio Femminile, where I played for three years. Since then, I am in Brescia Calcio Femminile and I am finishing my fourth year.
My first appearance with the national team was in March 2008, with the U-17 team; May 2008 with the U-19 team; June 2013 with the senior national team so far.
 

Football hearts: Italy has never had the opportunity to shine in Women's World Cup in recent years, for what reasons?

M.R .: Italy has not participated in the Women's World Cup since 1999. I think the reason is the same as that for which football in Italy can not develop. We need real, concrete projects. We need to invest in the youth sector to enable young players to grow from a football perspective. We must become "professional" to reach the same level as other countries. It is only after all these changes that we can try to shine at the Women's World Cup. It's my biggest dream.

Soccer Hearts: You have moved from the 14th rank FIFA in 2014, to the 13th this year (2015). Is there a real progression of the national team? Is there a goal to reach? Does the Italian federation make efforts to develop women's football?

MR: I think that not being qualified for the World Cup in Canada will make us lose our position on the standings and at least two countries will pass us over. Which means that progression is no longer reality.
However, something is happening around the football players in Italy. The curiosity of the people is increasing and the Federation realizes that the women's football is really developing. There is surely an improvement in interest, but only time will tell if this progress is real.
We now have a new and young promotion on the national team, there has been a generational renewal, so we need time to develop. But something is changing and the conditions are good.
Our goal now, after the absence of qualification in Canada 2015, is to reach the final phase of the Euro 2017 in Holland.
So far, the Federation has done the least it can do for us. We hope that other concrete changes of the FIGC will be realized and personally I believe it. An important step for us would be to become a part of the male clubs.
 

Soccer Hearts: Do you think the level of the national team has a relationship with the level of the Italian league?

M.R .: Surely, the national team reflects the low level of the Italian league. There are two or three strong teams in the league, where almost all national players evolve. But the level is not enough to allow us to develop women's football. The league is not physical enough and that's the main reason we suffer when we play international games.
 

Football hearts: Your club "ACF Brescia Femminile" is a very famous club in the Italian championship, you are 1 point behind the leader and you won your 1st title last year, do you hope for a second consecutive title?
MR: Our main goal is to win the second title from today and until the end of the league, we can not make mistakes anymore. I guess everything will be played in the last round.

Soccer Hearts: Brescia had the opportunity to play in the Champions League this season against the best team in France and one of the best teams in Europe: Olympique Lyonnais. Do you notice a difference between the two levels of play? What has your team missed?
M.R .: I think OL is one of the best teams in the world and it has been very challenging for me to compare myself with players of this level. In these two games, I had the opportunity to realize the great level difference that exists. I think every Olympique Lyonnais player is an athlete before being a football player and that's the first difference I've noticed. They are physically strong and they all have good technique. I think we have good technique too, but many of us, first of all, those who do not play on the national team, are not physically prepared enough to tackle such a team. We learned a lot from OL and after these games, I was personally impressed and decided that I want to reach this level.

Football hearts: Unlike Lyon, there is not a lot of diversity of nationalities in Brescia, is it because the championship does not attract international players?

MR: Yes, I think that's the main reason. There are only a few international players in our league, maybe because it's not enough and it's not interesting enough. There is no multi-ethnic culture in Italy. Other reasons are that wages are not high enough and Italy does not have men scouts (agents) to detect and find at tournaments, talented players when they have low value.
 

Hearts of Soccer: Sara Gama is one of those talented players and Italian that one has the pleasure to see playing PSG. Would you also like to have this kind of opportunity or would you stay in Italy?
M.R .: Sara Gama is one of the greatest Italian talents of all time and I call her "a force of nature". We are friends and we won a European Championship together, in France in 2008, with the U19 team. I would also like to do an experiment like her, improve myself and compare myself with another type of football. I think I will do it in the future.

Soccer Hearts: Your participation in Cyprus with Italy was bitter for you personally because you were expelled in the 36th minute of play. Could you come back to this event with us, what happened?
MR: The fact remains that Italy almost created the surprise, it led 2-1 but the fatigue probably won and Mexico returned to the score and took over, with a score of 3 to 2.
I was very disappointed in this game. I had two yellow cards: the first was correct; the second, on the contrary was a real shock and I was very surprised in front of the referee, I could not believe my eyes. The reaction of my teammates was really good, but then they conceded two goals in the last three minutes.
 

Soccer hearts: Alia Guagni said that Italy's weak point was "lack of concentration", do you agree with that?
M.R .: I agree with Alia, it was a lack of concentration because even though we were tired, it was not allowed to allow Mexico to score two goals in three minutes. But everything is useful to perfect our experience.
 

Football Hearts: What would you like to do after your football career?
M.R .: Now, I'm in my last year of university. I study the science of movement, so that will surely be the sport, my future. I also want to become a coach when I stop playing. I can not stay too far from this green rectangle.

Photo: www.martinarosucci.com