Bartoli fired up in pursuit of first trophy

The Giallorosse will face AC Milan in the Coppa Italia final in Reggio Emilia this weekend, looking to win a first trophy since the team was founded in 2018.

With the Mapei Stadium permitting fans to enter for the game, Bartoli hopes the return of supporters might make all the difference.

“At Roma we always get so much support from our fans – we know the Roma fans really know how to get behind the team,” Bartoli said.

“They could be our 12th person out there. I hope there will be a lot of fans there to push us on.”

She added: “Success breeds success. Beating the champions of Italy [Juventus, in the semi-finals] has given us confidence and belief in ourselves.

“We can’t afford to underestimate anyone, though. We are going up against a side that has improved a lot over the season. We will need to be focused on the details.”

The Giallorosse completed their Serie A campaign last weekend, ultimately finishing fifth in the final standings. That came after a noticeably improved second half of the season – especially after nearly beating Juventus in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia in January.

“It’s definitely true that something clicked following the Supercoppa,” Bartoli said.

“That game [eventually lost in extra-time] gave us a boost. After that match we became a bit more clinical, because I think we were playing some nice football even before then. But in recent weeks we have been able to finish off more chances and we’ve probably enjoyed a bit more luck, which you always need to.

“We’ve always worked really hard and we will continue to do that. We hope that, with the hunger and desire we have, we will find a way to win a first trophy.”

Bartoli was also moved to discuss a recent sexist episode in Italy, which saw performer Aurora Leone treated disgracefully by the organisers of a charity match.

“Myself and my teammates have invited Aurora to train with us this week, perhaps even at the stadium,” Bartoli said.

“It just makes me sad. After a World Cup [in 2019] in which we made all of Italy fall in love with the team, it makes me think that we still have such a long way to go. On Sunday, regardless of which team wins, we will put on a show and we will show that women can play football.

“We are not any less than anyone else and those that follow the women's game get the same enjoyment out of it. Everyone can dream of playing football and no-one should be able to take that away from someone.”