Squadra Goals

Inter forward Michela Cambiaghi, 29, has forced her way into Italy’s attacking reckoning by scoring against Spain, England and Sweden during the qualification cycle, and a first major tournament would be the biggest prize yet on a patient path. She describes trying to be as complete a striker as possible by taking the strengths of forwards with different characteristics to her own, and rates her attacking range and penalty-area presence as her biggest recent improvements. As a child she admired Javier Zanetti, Wesley Sneijder and Cristiano Ronaldo, and knew nothing of the Italian women’s national team until she was already in the game, later coming to admire Melania Gabbiadini. She has a degree in management, finance and international business but has never worked outside football. Cristiana Girelli, Elena Linari, Barbara Bonansea and Laura Giuliani are the squad’s reference points; the pre-match song stays secret.