Bavagnoli expecting reaction as Bari come to town

The Giallorosse will play at Trigoria on Sunday afternoon (kick-off is at 17:45 CEST), looking to get their first win of the season – following last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Sassuolo.

Having analysed that game, Bavagnoli wants her players to show progress as they play their second game of the 2020-21 season.

“It was important that we were able to go over our mistakes and our approach in certain moments of the game against Sassuolo, along with our overall attitude,” Bavagnoli told Roma TV.

“We’ve done that, we’ve reflected on the things we did wrong and the things we did well. It was important that we responded in the right way and in training this week I think we have done – now we have to take that into this second game of the season.”

She added: “We shouldn’t forget that no game is easy. It can also happen that, after five months off, you aren’t quite able to do absolutely everything you planned to in the first game. After analysing the game, now we need to make sure we take a step forward.”

Asked about where exactly she expected to see improvements from her team, Bavagnoli was clear.

“I’m expecting that step to be in terms of the mental approach – and the girls know that, we’ve been working hard on it,” she said.

“We have a lot of talented young players and we need to be patient with them as they grow and improve.

“We’ve worked on all the mistakes we made, including the tactical ones. But if are asking me for one improvement I want to see, then I would say it’s the mental aspect. We need to always show courage, always take responsibility – and that starts with me.

“We need to know what we have to do, on the pitch and off it, even when things aren’t going well. We need to have the strength and courage to confront and cope with any situation.”

Bavagnoli knows Bari will not make it easy for the Giallorosse, however.

“There are no easy games, against anyone, and especially not against Bari who are a side that have always shown the potential they have and desire they always have to play well,” she said.

“I expect a tough game, and I also expect a reaction from my players – after a week where we have prepared every aspect. I hope it’s a good game on Sunday, both to play in and to watch, and we show all the spirit and determination that we will need to have.”

The match, which will take place on Campo Agostino Di Bartolomei at Trigoria, will be broadcast on Roma TV+ and Twitter, for those outside Italy.