wf045: Nadeshiko Friendly vs Italy

More shots! Come on Hini! Courtesy from this site.

[The First International Friendly Match of October 2025: vs Italy]
October 24, 2025, Kickoff 6:15 PM
Como, Italy / Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

[The opponent: Italy]
Italy ended at second place of group stage in their UEFA Nations League, whose semifinals are taken place currently. The top of the same group, who are at the semifinal, was Spain. Taking their performance at last summer’s Euro (a 2-1 loss in extra time to eventual champion England in the semifinal) into account, Italy are a strong team ranked between fourth and eighth in Europe.

[Result of the match]
Italy (352 formation) 1-1 Nadeshiko (433 formation)
Scorers: 52′ Giada Greggi, 64′ Yui Hasegawa

[Match review]
The first half was a close match, with each team missing chances to score. Excellent defensive play from both goalkeepers shone through. The Nadeshiko’s two strikers, who formed a 4-4-2 formation in defense, pressed Italy’s three-women defense, but their attempts were evaded by detour routes taken by four players, including the goalkeeper, which allowed rather easily Italy successful long passes to the two strikers up front as well as behind the Nadeshiko’s side backs. With the Nadeshiko’s pressing forward players left behind and Italy’s two strikers possessing superior power and speed, the Nadeshiko repeatedly found themselves in danger with the same pattern. In a contest between Italy’s two strikers and the Nadeshiko’s two center backs, the former prevailed. Meanwhile, the Nadeshiko excelled with passing in the midfield, led by Yui Hasegawa and Hinata Miyazawa, and their two wingers advanced into the pockets, creating chances.
In the second half, the absence of Manaka Matsukubo reduced the Nadeshiko’s overall running ability, preventing them from creating chances. In the 52nd minute, they were at the mercy of Italian passing work across the box, allowing unmarked Greggi to score. Meanwhile, with the addition of Maika Hamano, the Nadeshiko’s defense and intelligence on the right wing were strengthened, and Yui Hasegawa calmly scored a looping shot off a direct pass from Hinata Miyazawa to tie the score. From then on, Italy brought on trial players, and the Nadeshiko were forced to deal with an injury to Toko Koga, so the game remained static.

[Blogger Comments]
The most noticeable point is there is an apparent delay in building a well organized defense for the Nadeshiko. In addition, I think the manager’s player priorities are questionable as follows. Choosing lineup players with poor defensive and positioning skills against a powerhouse like Italy seemed a major factor in the team’s struggles as in the first half of the present match. Also, the team’s delayed response to Italy’s two-man attack was a mistake of the manager in the first half. The decision to make only four substitutions is also puzzling. Shouldn’t they have brought on Uno Shiragaki or Shinomi Koyama?
In contrast, Hinata Miyazawa’s strong performance is a positive. Also, Risa Shimizu’s return is a big factor to the future. Toko Koga’s not-best form and her injury are concerning.
It seems that Minami Tanaka should be deployed as a second striker not a one top and Hana Takahashi should be deployed as a forward not a defender.
Furthermore, it seems necessary to strengthen the midfield with a player who excels at long-range shots, builds up the attack, and excels in defense and positioning. Hinata Miyazawa is the first choice of course, but I’d like to see more decisive long-range shots given by Hini. Honoka Hayashi or Yuzuho Shiokoshi might also be its candidates.