Training Days: Eleonora Pacioni's diary from Terminillo

This week, she is training with the senior team at Terminillo, as Alessandro Spugna's squad begin preparations for the 2021-22 campaign.

Stepping up to join the first-team names, we asked Eleonora to keep a diary of the experience.

This page will be updated daily (newest entries at the top).

DAY 7: FINAL THOUGHTS

When thinking about how this training camp has affected me, there's definitely a lot of tiredness involved - but a lot of happiness too.

The overall assessment of this week is positive. Even if it was very demanding from a physical perspective, training at this sort of intensity has only encouraged and motivated me.

My first real pre-season training camp with the first-team is definitely something that I will always remember.

Now we have to focus on the next challenges though - taking them, as always, as a team.

DAY 6: LEADING BY EXAMPLE

During the many training sessions we've had over the past few days, I've been watching our captain, Elisa Bartoli, a lot.

She's an example for all of us, and especially for me after I captained the Primavera this past season.

Elisa is the spokesperson for the team, she is the one who understands what everyone needs and will talk with the staff about it too. She gives advice, but she doesn't overdo it. With some of us young players she tries to help us understand some important details - without trying to overload us with details.

She is an example for us all in every possible way, on the pitch and off it. Despite the incredible career she's had and continues to have, she is always the first to put in the work for her teammates.

I hope to be a captain like that too one day!

DAY 5: MATCH PRACTICE

You can definitely feel the tiredness now - but if anything, it only pushes you to give even more.

Training with top players, I am definitely realising how much I need to improve - and where I can improve too.

Today we spent time on the pitch gaining a bit more practice in match-type situations.

I thought it would be more of a struggle for me to keep the opposition at bay - although I have to say at the end I was pushing myself to the limit. All in all, though, I'm pretty pleased with my efforts.

DAY 4: GIVE ME STRENGTH

After a couple of days of double training sessions, for the first time today we were given then afternoon off. I can safely safe that it was needed!

So we started the morning with some strength training in the gym, and then this afternoon we were allowed to enjoy a well-deserved break.

In the end we decided to take a walk as a group. With each day that goes by we are growing closer as a team and, even for the new girls or the younger ones like me, I think we are really starting to feel more involved in everything.

Maybe you can see that from the photo we took - how happy we all look together!

Let's see if you can spot where I am in the crowd though!

DAY 3: LEARNING FROM OTHERS

Another double training session today - although it was a bit different from yesterday, as we spent more time out on the pitch today.

I was mostly working with Tecla Pettenuzzo and I found the experience really helpful. She really helped me play with calmness out there. I also tried to work on my passing from the defence, and in the little game we played Giada Greggi scored from one of my through balls.

It was a memorable day for other reasons, too, because we celebrated the birthday of Benedetta Glionna too.

And so I will do it again here as well. Happy birthday, Benny!

DAY 2: LEARNING FROM OTHERS

Today was definitely a tiring one! And it's still only day two...

In the morning we did some strength training, while in the afternoon we focused on building out from defence on the training pitch.

The session was really engaging, it was pretty intense too. Today, training alongside my defensive colleagues who have a bit more experience, I really got an idea of the areas where I still need to improve.

I can definitely get better in terms of my communication on the pitch, which is crucial to organising the defence, and then I think from a technical perspective I need to work on being able to carry the ball forward safely when I have it in my possession.

Now I need to go and rest so I can go again even harder tomorrow!

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Today it started - my experience going away with the first team for a pre-season training camp. My first real training camp!

It's a new experience for me, especially in terms of the work we do out on the pitch. The intensity is definitely very different. Training went well, although we had to do a number of fitness tests. On Sunday we will train properly for the first time and I already know we are going to sweat a lot!

I'm really excited and delighted to be able to test myself at this sort of level. The first team players have welcomed myself and all my teammates from the Primavera really well!