Cup victory sets up all-Rome derby for Bavagnoli's side

Roma Women’s Coppa Italia quarter-final promises to be an occasion not to forget – as they will face Roma Calcio Femminile in what is set to be a keenly-contested derby.

Betty Bavagnoli’s side beat Orobica 3-1 in Bergamo on Saturday to move into the last-eight of the competition, where they will face a local rival: second division side Roma Calcio Femminile, who beat Serie A’s Atalanta Mozzanica 2-1 later the same day to secure their own progression.

The tie, which is a two-legged affair, will take place on January 20 and February 20 – although which leg is played at Stadio Tre Fontane is still be confirmed.

A number of Giallorosse players began their careers with the Roma CF, which will lend the game an extra flavour.

Among those is goalkeeper Valentina Casaroli, who made her debut in the win over Orobica.

“I am very happy for them,” said Casaroli, when asked about the prospect of playing her old side. “We wish them well. It will be a great game.

"To go up against them will feel a little bit like going home for me. We want to go a long way in this competition, though, so in another way this is also just the next obstacle we have to overcome on the path we want to take.”

She added: “It was amazing to make my debut [on Saturday]. Thank you to the coach and the teammates for supporting me. Thanks also to [regular starting goalkeeper] Rosalia Pipitone, us goalkeepers work closely together and she has always been very supportive of me.”

Bavagnoli’s side have a while to think about the derby match, with Serie A competition now taking the focus for the next few weeks.

Bavagnoli suggested there was plenty to work on over the coming weeks, despite the win over Orobica.

“To be honest, today we can only really talk about getting through,” Bavagnoli said. “Because we did not play well.

“We have to compliment Orobica, who did everything to try and get in the game. We did well in terms of not giving up and pushing to see out the game, but we know we can do better overall.

Casaroli added: “It was a tough game – which we knew it would be, having to go away. It was a battle until the end.

"We were under pressure right until the end, but we responded well. We responded well to going behind too – to fight back and secure the win.”

COPPA ITALIA QUARTER-FINALS

Fiorentina v. Hellas Verona
Roma v. Roma CF
Tavagnacco v. Juventus
Sassuolo v. Milan