What: Nations League in football, group stage, fifth match.
Where: Ennio Tardini Stadium, Parma.
When: Friday at 18.20.
TV/Radio: SVT2/SVT Play and P4 Radiosporten/SR Play.
Conditions: Sweden tops group 4 with two matches left. With a win away against Italy, the group win and a semifinal spot in the Nations League can be secured already in the evening. But then Denmark needs to drop points at home against Wales in a match that starts 55 minutes after Sweden's.
Opponent: Italy, ranked 14th in the world behind sixth-placed Sweden, was in a bad position after losses against Denmark (1–3) and away against Sweden (2–3). However, after a 3–0 away against the Danes in April, the group has opened up. With a win against Sweden, Italy would put pressure on the Scandinavian top contenders ahead of the group finale on Tuesday evening. Then Sweden faces Denmark at Strawberry Arena in Solna and Italy visits bottom-placed Wales in Wales.
Question marks: Several Swedish players have had symptoms of illness since Saturday's Champions League final win against Barcelona in Lisbon. Match hero Stina Blackstenius arrived later at the national team camp and did not train on Tuesday. Amanda Ilestedt did not train on Wednesday. On Ascension Day, all trained at the match arena Ennio Tardini Stadium in Parma.
They have trained, yes, said national team coach Peter Gerhardsson cryptically on Thursday when he got questions about whether they are ready for the game.
Sweden, possible starting eleven (4–3–3): Jennifer Falk – Hanna Lundkvist, Nathalie Björn, Magdalena Eriksson, Jonna Andersson – Filippa Angeldahl, Kosovare Asllani, Julia Zigiotti Olme – Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Stina Blackstenius, Fridolina Rolfö.
Other squad members: Tove Enblom (gk), Emma Holmgren (gk), Amanda Ilestedt, Emma Kullberg, Amanda Nildén, Linda Sembrant, Smilla Holmberg, Rebecka Blomqvist, Sofia Jakobsson, Madelen Janogy, Lina Hurtig, Hanna Bennison, Ellen Wangerheim, Evelyn Ijeh, Felicia Schröder.
National team coach: Peter Gerhardsson.
Italy, possible starting eleven (3–5–2): Laura Giuliani – Lucia Di Guglielmo, Julie Piga, Elena Linari – Annamaria Serturini, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, Emma Severini, Lisa Boattin – Sofia Cantore, Martina Piemonte.
Other squad members: Rachele Baldi (gk), Margot Shore (gk), Valentina Bergamaschi, Angelica Soffia, Federica D'Auria, Elisabetta Oliviero, Eva Schatzer, Eleonora Goldoni, Arianna Caruso, Flaminia Simonetti, Christiana Girelli, Agnese Bonfantini, Michela Cambiaghi.
National team coach: Andrea Soncin.
