Wales face Italy tonight (5.15pm) aiming to minimise the ‘growing pains’ at elite level
RHIAN Wilkinson says Wales must minimise the growing pains of their Nations League campaign to acclimatise to the elite level of the women’s game.
Wales face Italy at the Stadio Brianteo in Monza this evening and could be forgiven for having an eye on both the past and future as well as the present.
Wales only previous experience of the top division of the Nations League came in 2023, the year the competition was founded. Wales took just one point from six matches, a 0-0 draw at home to Germany. They were on the end of a couple of 5-1 defeats by Germany and Denmark and lost both matches to Iceland.
But this time around, buoyant Wales are readying themselves for their first major tournament at the Euros this summer.
“(This will be) a fantastic six game series to prepare us as best as possible for a historic major tournament,” said Wilkinson.
The Dragons are looking to stay in League A but the six matches against three higher-ranked teams will provide a toe in top-level waters ahead of the Euros, where they will again face three higher-ranked opponents.
On Tuesday, Wales are home to Sweden (5) and in April take on Denmark (12).
But first up are Italy, who are ranked 13 in the world – the second-lowest ranked team of the Nations League group, but still a fair few places ahead of Cymru, ranked 30.
Italy’s main challenge will come from midfielders, Ariana Caruso, 25, and Manuela Giugliano, 27.
Wilkinson said: “I think Italy is one of these teams that has gone unrecognised for their levels in the last few years. Last year really showed what they can do.
“They are a team that has always had mavericks, they have these special players that have been incredible to play against.
“They continue to have the mavericks but now how they play as a team is incredibly exciting.”
These three teams will be a good representation of the challenge the Dragons face in Switzerland at the Euros – though the learning curve in the Summer will be even more steep. Wales will play France (ranked 11), Netherlands (10) and England (2).
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Wilkinson confirmed that defender Hayley Ladd, 31, will play and earn her 100th cap in the process.
“It is a milestone that should be marked. It is momentous, it is a big deal. She has earned every one of those caps,” said Wilkinson.
Two players, Elise Hughes and Esther Morgan, will be making their returns after injury under the Monza lights.
Wilkinson said the whole team was fit and healthy, but Hughes would not be playing a full 90 mins after her nine months off due to an ACL injury.
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