Girelli and Caruso’s relentless pursuit of Euro 2025 qualification intensifies after a stunning victory over Serbia. Discover the highlights and implications of this match.
Introduction:
On a breezy evening at the Gradski stadion DuboÄica, the Italian Women’s National Team delivered a performance of breathtaking fluidity and clinical precision. Matchday 3 of the Women’s European Qualifiers saw Andrea Soncin’s side travel to Leskovac with a point to prove, and they did so with an emphatic 6-0 victory over a shell-shocked Serbian side. From the first whistle to the final seconds of stoppage time, the Azzurre moved the ball with a rhythmic grace that the hosts simply could not match, cementing Italy’s position as the frontrunners in their quest for Euro 2025 qualification.
The scoreline was a fair reflection of a match that felt more like a tactical exhibition than a competitive fixture. With six different goal scorers finding the net, Italy showcased a terrifying depth of talent and a collective hunger that suggests they are ready to compete with the continent’s elite once more. See also: German Women Firework: 5-1 Thrashing of Austria Ignites Euro Qualifying Campaign
Girelli’s Guile and the First-Half Blitz
Italy entered the fray knowing that Serbia possessed a physical threat, particularly through their direct style of play. However, the Azzurre’s technical superiority was evident from the outset. Manuela Giugliano and Arianna Caruso dictated the tempo from midfield, pulling the Serbian defensive block from side to side until the cracks inevitably appeared.
The breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute through a familiar source of inspiration. Cristiana Girelli, the veteran heart of the Italian attack, demonstrated her world-class positioning. Following a sustained period of Italian possession, a fizzing cross from the left flank bypassed the Serbian center-backs. Girelli, reading the flight of the ball perfectly, steered a clinical finish into the bottom corner. It was her 55th international goal, and it catalyzed what was to follow.
The Serbian “Eagles” attempted to respond with physicality, but Italy’s backline, anchored by the composed Elena Linari, remained unbothered. In the 35th minute, the lead was doubled spectacularly. Francesca Oliviero, marauding forward from her defensive station, found herself in space 25 yards from the goal. Spotting the Serbian keeper slightly off her line, Oliviero unleashed a powerful, dipping strike that nestled into the roof of the net. It was a career-highlight moment for the defender and a tactical hammer blow to Serbia’s hopes of a comeback.
As the halftime whistle approached, Italy added a third to effectively end the contest as a spectacle. In the 45th minute, a corner delivery caused chaos in the Serbian six-yard box. Amidst a forest of legs, Martina Lenzini reacted quickest, poking the ball home to ensure Italy headed into the tunnel with a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Caruso Connection and Midfield Mastery
The second half began with Serbia making three tactical substitutions in an attempt to stem the bleeding, but Italy’s appetite for goals remained unsatiated. The Azzurre press was relentless, hunting in packs and winning the ball back within seconds of losing it.
In the 61st minute, the scoreline moved to 4-0. The goal was a masterpiece of team interplay, involving a twelve-pass move that shifted the entire Serbian defense. Eventually, the ball found its way to Arianna Caruso at the edge of the area. The Juventus midfielder, who had been the architect of so much of Italy’s play, took one touch to set herself before driving a low, hard shot into the far corner. It was a goal that epitomized the confidence flowing through the Italian ranks.
With the result beyond doubt, Soncin utilized his bench, bringing on fresh legs to maintain the high-intensity pressure. This depth proved to be a nightmare for the tiring Serbian defenders, who found themselves chasing shadows as the Italian substitutes looked to make their mark on the scoresheet.
The Late Flourish: Cantore and Greggi Seal the Deal
As the match entered its final ten minutes, Serbia appeared physically and mentally exhausted. Italy, however, continued to push forward with a ruthlessness that pleased the coaching staff. The fifth goal arrived in the 88th minute, courtesy of Sofia Cantore. The dynamic forward used her explosive pace to beat the offside trap, latching onto a ball from Giugliano before calmly rounding the goalkeeper and sliding the ball into the empty net.
The final act of this Italian opera occurred deep into stoppage time (90’+4). Giada Greggi, who had entered the game with a point to prove, capitalized on a defensive lapse at the edge of the area. She intercepted a weak clearance, danced past a desperate challenge, and rifled a shot into the top corner. It was the perfect exclamation point on a night of utter dominance.
The statistics were as lopsided as the scoreline. Italy finished the match with 22 shots to Serbia’s 3, and a staggering 68% possession. More importantly, the clean sheet provided a boost of confidence for a defensive unit that had been under scrutiny in recent months.
Soncin’s Vision: A New Era for the Azzurre
This 6-0 victory is a significant milestone in the tenure of Andrea Soncin. Since taking over, he has prioritized a possession-based game that encourages defenders to contribute to the attack—a philosophy that was clearly visible in the goals scored by Oliviero and Lenzini. Italy looks like a team transformed; they are playing with a joy and freedom that was often missing in previous campaigns.
For Serbia, the defeat is a sobering reminder of the gap that still exists between the emerging nations and the traditional powerhouses of European football. While they showed heart, they were tactically outclassed in every department. For the Azzurre, the focus now shifts to the return fixture, where a win would almost certainly guarantee their place in the 2025 European Championships in Switzerland.
As the Italian players saluted the traveling fans in Leskovac, there was a sense that this performance was a turning point. If Italy can replicate this clinical edge against higher-ranked opposition, they will be a force to be reckoned with when the tournament kicks off next summer.
