Bavagnoli praises Jamaican pair ahead of Italy meeting

The Reggae Girlz meet Italy in Reims on Friday evening, knowing they need to get something from the match if they are to have any hope of reaching the knockout stages of the competition.

Both Swaby and Carter started Jamaica’s opening defeat to Brazil - and are likely to do so again against the Azzurre, a team they will know pretty well after spending a year in Serie A.

Speaking to an Italian newspaper, Bavagnoli explained how both players had settled in with the Giallorosse – and how she saw their development going.

“Allyson is a strong player physically, she’s quick off the mark and still has a lot of room to improve technically and in how she builds the play, how she moves the ball,” Bavagnoli said.

“Since the beginning of the season she has made huge strides forward, tactically and technically. I think she can still do a lot more, I’m not sure she realises quite how good she good be.

“It was hard for her at Roma at first because I don’t think anyone had ever asked her to help build play from the back before, but she was open to the challenge and really worked hard to improve in that area.”

Bavagnoli added: “Trudi is great on the ball, she’s creative and has top technique. Unfortunately at the beginning of the season she suffered a knee injury that kept her out for a long time.

“She can play in central midfield or wider in attack. Against Brazil she was asked to cover in midfield a bit more, although I think she can express herself a bit better when she is playing further forward.”

The two Roma players could go up against three club teammates – Elisa Bartoli, Rosalia Pipitone and Annamaria Serturini are all in the Italy squad.

With Australia beating Brazil on Thursday, Italy know that a win over Jamaica would put them in a strong position as they look to reach the knockout stages.