Thestrup: Beating Fiorentina huge for our confidence

The Giallorosse picked up their first win over one of Italian women’s football’s established big sides just before the recent international break, as they went to Florence and won 2-0 against last season’s Serie A runners-up.

Betty Bavagnoli’s side now return to action this weekend against Empoli, and Thestrup is confident the side will be raring to go at Stadio Tre Fontane.

“It was definitely great to beat Fiorentina – training after that game was a lot more fun and hopefully we continue like that,’ Thestrup said.

“It would have been great to keeping playing – but, despite the fact we won, the game against Fiorentina wasn’t perfect. We have a lot of things to improve on and I think the last three weeks have helped us get better ahead of the game against Empoli – we’ve had time to work on the things that weren’t going so well.”

She added: “It was definitely important to win [in Florence]. Fiorentina are a good team, they did well last season. We know that they will be one of the sides at the top of the league, we want to be up there as well and to do that we need to beat the other top sides – so to win was definitely important.”

Thestrup, one of the club’s summer signings, has started both games for the club so far – although she is still looking for her first goal for the Giallorossi.

“The coach asks the same from me as all my teammates – we have to be professional, we have to work hard and put the team first,” she said.

“She wants us to play a very technical style of football, keeping possession and attacking well. I think that fits nicely with my style so I’m really excited about it.”

“[When I score my first goal] I will definitely celebrate with my teammates - but I think I should prepare something a bit special for it too!"

Thestrup, who played in the Champions League during her time in Denmark, believes her current side have what it takes to achieve something special this season.

“We are definitely a great squad, we have the potential to do really well – but it is up to us," she said.

"Our aim is to compete to qualify for the Champions League and the top of the table. That’s why we need to try and win every game, and I think we can do that as long as we work hard.”

Saturday’s game against Empoli gets underway at 15:00 local time.

The game will be broadcast live on Twitter and Facebook.