Italy have picked Barcelona’s Dragoni, 16, in their WWC squad

Italy have included Barcelona‘s 16-year-old midfielder Giulia Dragoni of their 23-player squad for the Ladies’s World Cup launched on Sunday.

Dragoni made her debut in a house pleasant in opposition to Morocco on Saturday, which completed goalless.

Milena Bertolini’s squad announcement got here with few different surprises as she included key gamers corresponding to Cristiana Girelli, Lisa Boattin and Manuela Giugliano.

It was already recognized that 34-year-old captain Sara Gama wouldn’t be within the squad for “technical-tactical and bodily” elements. Bertolini didn’t say who would take over as skipper.

Defenders Maria Luisa Filangeri and Beatrice Merlo are on standby and can practice with the squad within the lead as much as the match able to step up in case of sickness or harm.

The ninth version of the World Cup is being hosted by New Zealand and Australiawith Italy beginning in opposition to Argentina on July 24 earlier than taking up Sweden and South Africa in Group G.

Full WWC Squad:

Goalkeepers: Rachele Baldi, Francesca Durante, Laura Giuliani

Defenders: Elisa Bartoli, Lisa Boattin, Lucia Di Guglielmo, Martina Lenzini, Elena Linari, Benedetta Orsi, Cecilia Salvai

Midfielders: Arianna Caruso, Valentina Cernoia, Giulia Dragoni, Manuela Giugliano, Giada Greggi, Emma Severini

Forwards: Chiara Beccari, Barbara Bonansea, Sofia Cantore, Valentina Giacinti, Cristiana Girelli, Benedetta Glionna, Annamaria Serturini