Di Criscio proud of team spirit as she discusses growth of side this season

After a difficult start Betty Bavagnoli's side have put a fine run of form together in recent months - moving into the top four in the standings and showing they can hold their own against some of the established sides in the competition.

Di Criscio discussed how that progression had come about, among a number of other topics...

Where are the women’s team at the moment in their development?

“We are starting to see the results of all the hard work we have been putting in. At the start we were a new side, we had to get to know each other – it definitely wasn’t straightforward. But slowly, thanks to the hard work of the players and the staff, we have been able to create a solid group that has begun to understand our qualities and the potential we have.

"Now, when we go out on the pitch, we feel like we have no-one to fear and this has helped us pick up results. We are enjoying the moment, it’s a pleasure to play and fight for something like this – and that itself gives us a little bit extra.”

You have shown recently that you are now a squad that can bounce back from setbacks on the pitch…

“That is probably one of the big differences from the beginning, when perhaps when we went behind we would be demoralised. Now, when we hit an obstacle we immediately want to fight back – because we know how important it is to get the results.”

And now you know each other pretty well…

“We have a good mix. There are a few players with a lot of experience, and there are some others – the younger ones – with a bit more exuberance about them. This is great, it’s a winning recipe. I would put myself a bit in between all of the groups. For example, from the foreign girls you can learn a huge amount – especially mentally, in how they face problems and setbacks. They always find the positives even in mistakes, whereas sometimes we [Italian players] can take it like a disaster. So I learn a lot from this, but I think I can also teach a few things too.”

Which preconception about women's football annoys you the most?

“Even just hearing someone say 'Oh, do women play football too?' is annoying. It shows the ignorance of some people who think there's a limit to what you can do just because you're a woman. Ours is a job just like any other. Another thing that annoys me is when they say 'A woman who plays football must be a lesbian' and just put us all in one basket. It's pure prejudice because ours is a job just like any other.”

Have you met some of the players from the men’s team?

“At the Christmas Event we had the chance to be all together in the same place, and it was a chance to chat. Some of them are very interesting: I had the chance to talk with Daniele De Rossi and was telling us, 'I follow and watch all your games, because I didn’t realise women’s football could be like this.' To hear that was great, because it means that we are starting to change people’s impressions and bringing in people that weren’t following women’s football before. And, of course, it’s also great to receive encouragement and support from a great player and person like Daniele.”

How is it working with Betty Bavagnoli?

“The most important thing is that we stick together as a group, she has helped us understand how important that team spirit is. Away from the pitch each of us can do what we want, but on it we are one unit – with the staff as well. This is a quality that is not easy to find, or keep. The fact we are so united is thanks to here, and because of her we are also starting to get results. Another big thing I appreciate is the respect she has for our opponents – even the smaller teams. That’s an important quality.”

We can see the team is really united now, especially after a goal – or at the end of a game.

“At the start you could see the difference even in how we celebrated – now even the goalkeeper comes over to celebrate with us. We have that passion and love for what we do, and that’s what is great about women’s football: there’s that desire to show what we can do, to achieve everything we can. The important thing for us right now is to keep getting those results – because we want to finish as high as we can.”