Women
Have we already forgotten about women’s football? TV rights for Serie A Women’s Cup sold out – Football style
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Sofia Cantore makes her debut in the USA, shining a spotlight on how Italian women’s football still remains in the shadows compared to American and European enthusiasm.
It’s a story that smells of records, of the future, and, why not, of anger.
Sofia Cantore, at twenty-five years old, the same age at which many female footballers must already chase an unrecognized dream, becomes the first Italian in the history of the NWSL.
The top professional women’s league in the United States.
Cantore’s leap carries weight (and shines)
The Washington Spirit signed her from Juventus for an amount exceeding €300,000, the most expensive transfer fee paid by an Italian club in women’s football.
From Lecco to the Mundialito of dreams: Cantore scored 11 goals and provided 6 assists in 25 matches in the Serie A 2024-25. Numbers of a top player.
Her debut was on August 3, at the resumption of the NWSL after the summer break.
It’s a leap that sends a clear signal: the Italian league does not value female talent enough.
Here, a female player can excel in Serie A, fill newspaper pages (and even those of GQ for her life as a DJ in the locker room), but in a few months ends up in the sights of one of the most structured leagues in the world.
United States vs Italy: a comparison without filters
In the US, women’s football is a solid spectacle: full stadiums, TV rights, sponsors, decent salaries, media attention.
In Italy? There is passion, of course, but infrastructure is lacking: few resources, marginal coverage, insufficient facilities.
Except for us, where only recently has the women’s Serie A acquired professional status, after decades of silent struggle.
And in other countries? In England, the WSL attracts international talents, in Spain there are Barça and Atlético investing serious amounts. Even the German and French leagues are now aligning with the professionalized model.
In the US, each team can have a maximum of seven foreign players, a valuable slot. And the Washington Spirit has earmarked it for Cantore.
A few months ago, an Italian of our level would have reluctantly ended up in the Italian league; now she flies across the ocean, rewarded for her value.
Cantore opens a breach: first Italian in NWSL and a mirror of the shortcomings of our women’s football
It’s not just a market move: it’s a political gesture. Coach Soncin commented: “It must be a source of pride that championships representing excellence are interested in our girls.”
Quite right: Cantore is the symbol of a revolution that must start from within our movement.
Sofia Cantore
Cantore in NWSL, media resonance: between pride and “what if it’s an alarm bell?”
The announcement of Sofia Cantore’s transfer to the Washington Spirit had an immediate echo. In Italy, the sports press reacted with a mix of enthusiasm (“national pride”) and a bitter undertone (“why do we have to send them away to make them stand out?”).
The most followed websites and newspapers highlighted the record transfer fee, but almost all avoided the uncomfortable question: why do we not have the conditions to retain them here?
Abroad, the story is more straightforward: “Washington Spirit sign Italian star forward Sofia Cantore” headline the American media, emphasizing that she is the first Italian acquisition in NWSL history. The frame is different: less melodrama, more focus on performance and potential.
Salaries: the ocean is not just geographic
The economic gap between the NWSL and the Serie A femminile is still enormous.
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In Italy, the average contract in the Serie A femminile ranges between €20,000 and €40,000 annually for a good level starter, with peaks of around €60,000 for top national players. Prize money and personal sponsorships are still limited and often depend on the visibility of the National Team.
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In the United States, a mid-to-high range player can earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, with additional bonuses, benefits (accommodation, flights, comprehensive health insurance), and more frequent advertising contracts, thanks to greater media exposure.
The case of Cantore is even more striking: the transfer fee alone, over €300,000, is already a sign of the different economic “weight” given to a female player. In Italy, such figures are almost exclusively associated with men’s football or exceptional transfers in women’s football.
Facilities: women’s football is also a matter of locker rooms and fields
In the US, the NWSL works in synergy with ready-made university and sports facilities: modern training centers, dedicated staff, fields in perfect condition, aggressive marketing. Players have daily access to athletic trainers, nutritionists, and female-specialized physiotherapists.
In Italy, despite progress, many teams still train on shared fields, sometimes in the evenings or in peripheral locations. Staffs are often small, and medical support, while present, is still not comparable to the American or top European leagues.
Europe: who is surpassing us
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England: the WSL has average salaries around £60,000 and regular TV coverage. Stadiums fill up (especially when Arsenal or Chelsea women play), and academies produce talents every year.
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France: PSG and Lyon invest in women’s football with amounts that are unthinkable for our clubs, attracting international champions without difficulty.
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Spain: the Barcelona women’s team is a sports and commercial model, capable of attracting over 90,000 spectators to Camp Nou for a Champions League match.
So, the talking stops here. When an Italian female player becomes a top player in our league, the offer from a foreign club, American or European, is almost always more advantageous.
From every point of view: economic, technical, structural, and media.
Women
“Don’t you watch it?” – Recap of the 3rd round – Soccer style
The weekly appointment with "Macché te lo guardi?" is back, the column by Calciostyle dedicated to the Serie A Women’s Championship 2025/2026. Here is the third matchday!
The women’s football movement in Italy has been gaining more and more attention in recent years, attracting the interest of millions of fans who follow the sport in our beloved Boot. Despite there still being a vast majority of people who "snub" this category, in recent seasons there have been several events and achievements that have elevated women’s football to a very high level.
We cannot ignore the transition to professionalism (July 1, 2022) and reaching milestones that were unthinkable just a few years ago, such as attracting 40,000 spectators to a single match.
Compared to other European countries (especially Spain and England), the difference in audience and interest surrounding women’s football is still significant. The performances of the Italian National Team (reaching the semifinals) at the European Championship in Switzerland this summer certainly brought a lot of attention to the entire movement, but there is still a long way to go to give the right spotlight to the Italian championship.
Taking advantage of the irreverence of the column title "Macché, te lo guardi?", we want to shed further light on a reality that is gaining more and more ground in our beloved country: women’s football. Because in the end, we Italians are only interested in watching and being able to comment on the game of football, regardless of who is playing.
Serie A Women, the third matchday
The third matchday of Serie A Women has concluded. A round filled with many firsts: Genoa, in front of their fans, secures the joy of their first historic victory in the top league by defeating Ternana, the only team still at zero points in the standings. Sassuolo and Juventus also secure their first league wins. The 2005 class Eto and the ’90 class Girelli decide the matches against Como and Lazio, respectively.
At the top of the standings flies Roma by Rossettini, who defeats Napoli away with the league’s top scorer Corelli, author of the decisive brace. A goal fest at Viola Park between Fiorentina and Milan with Pinones Arce’s girls clinching an important victory in the final seconds.
It’s the second consecutive draw for Inter by Piovani, as they settle for a 0-0 against Parma.
Historic first win for Genoa in Serie A!
Genoa – Ternana 3 – 1
- 31′ Hilaj (G), 35′ Pellegrino (T), 66′ Lipman (G), 69′ Monterubbiano (G)
The Genoa secures their first historic victory in the top league. In front of their fans, the Grifone triumphs over the other promoted team Ternana. The first half at La Sciorba is lively, with the visitors starting strong and putting the Rossoblù defense under pressure. At the 28th minute, Ternana takes the lead with Pellegrino Cimò, but the goal is disallowed due to an offside position.
Aware of the scare, Genoa pushes forward and breaks the deadlock at the 31st minute. A scramble in the penalty area after a free kick, with Hilaj making the most of the loose ball and scoring. Ternana’s response and any offensive attempts rely on Pellegrino Cimò. The former Samp player, played into space, unleashes a powerful shot under the bar, restoring parity after less than 4 minutes.
The second half sees the 2006 class trying to score again. The Ternana, however, capitulates shortly after the hour mark, conceding two goals to Genoa. In this early part of the season, the Achilles’ heel of Cincotta’s team is set pieces, particularly corners.
The one-two punch from Genoa capitalizes on this crucial aspect. First Lipman and then Monterubbiano take advantage of the guest defense’s lapses, virtually sealing the match.
The newly promoted Ternana remains without points. A fundamental victory for the Grifone.
The 2005 class Eto gifts Sassuolo their first three points
Sassuolo – Como 1 – 0
- 12′ Eto (S)
The Sassuolo, coached by Mister Spugna, secures their first league victory at home against Como, who were coming off a surprising win against Juventus. A very entertaining and lively match with the home team immediately seeking the lead.
The spotlight is stolen by the young 2005 class Eto, a former PSG player. The Cameroonian forward opens a shooting contest that lasts the whole game against the Larian goalkeeper. Indeed, she scores the first strike of the match, as the Neroverdi approach the Como defense. From the resulting corner, Sassuolo takes the lead. A short corner finds Clelland on the flank, who crosses for Eto to head home unmarked in the center of the penalty area.
The game continues in the same vein, with Sassuolo, especially Eto, creating chance after chance but failing to convert. Como tries, especially in the second half, but their lack of ruthlessness means they hardly trouble Durand.
As the match nears its end, Como protests vehemently for a handball in the Sassuolo penalty area. Despite a review by the Football Video Support (FVS), the referee does not award the penalty, condemning the Larian team to their second defeat in three matchdays.
Crazy match at Viola Park: Fiorentina clinches it in injury time
Fiorentina – Milan 4 – 3
- 26′ Severini (F); 32′, 77′ Renzotti (M), 37′ Soffia (M); 58′, 90+4′ Janogy (F), 90+7′ Tryggvadottir
A match full of strong emotions at Viola Park between Fiorentina and Milan: 7 goals, chances on both sides, and a game decided in the dying moments. Everything happens at Pinones Arce’s stadium.
To open the scoring, Severini converts a penalty won by Snerle. Fiorentina’s lead lasts only 5 minutes as Milan turns the game around. Renzotti levels the score at 32′ with a decisive strike from the penalty area, and Soffia makes it 2-1 for the Rossoneri with a clever touch from Kyvag’s backheel at 37′.
The second half is played at the same frantic pace as the first. Fiorentina, just before the hour mark, equalizes with Janogy, skillfully heading in a corner. The Rossoneri, led by Renzotti, refuse to back down and take the lead again at 77′.
The 3-2 scoreline seems to bury Fiorentina, but in injury time, the unthinkable happens. The duo Janogy-Tryggvadóttir carries the team on their shoulders, leading them to an unexpected victory just minutes before. The entire stadium erupts in joy as the Icelandic striker puts the ball into the net after getting past Giuliani at the 97th minute.
Roma soars: Corelli top scorer and top of the table
Napoli – Roma 1 – 3
- 46′ Dragoni (R); 49′, 82′ Corelli (M), 90+1′ Vanmechelen
A third consecutive victory in the league and top of the table. The Serie A season could not have started better for Roma by Rossettini, who, in their first top clash, beat Sassarini’s Napoli 3-1 at the Piccolo.
A fairly tight first half gives way to a much livelier second half. Roma immediately takes the lead with Giulia Dragoni. Sgasata on the right by Bergamaschi, who enters the penalty area and serves the arrival of the 2006 class with a precise low shot into the far corner.
With the game opened up, the Giallorosse gain confidence and just three minutes later, double their advantage. Corelli, sent through on goal, takes full advantage of the late Napoli defense with a powerful strike that Bacic can do nothing about.
Roma, with a comfortable lead, manages the match, smoothly sailing towards the end. In the 82nd minute, the current league leaders also score a third, again through Corelli. The yellow-red striker is having a fantastic start to the season: 4 goals and 2 assists in three league games already.
Napoli, with time running out, finds a consolation goal with a long-range strike from Vanmechelen that sneaks under the crossbar.
Girelli gives Juventus their first win
Lazio – Juventus 0 – 1
- 86′ Girelli (J)
A penalty kick from Girelli is enough for Juventus to return to victory and secure the first three points of the season. The match at Fersini in Formello pits two teams in completely different form states against each other. On one side, Lazio, coming off a blistering start to the season and unbeaten in 7 rounds. On the other, Juventus, the reigning Italian champions, still without a win after two matchdays (a first in Serie A history).
The balanced first half offers opportunities for both sides: Juventus with Bonansea and Thomas, and Lazio with Piemonte forcing De Jong to make a superb save. In the second half, the game heats up, with both teams wasting chances. In Lazio, Goldoni and Piemonte miss the chance to take the lead, while in Juventus, in addition to Cascarino and Beccari, Girelli sees her goal denied by Durante’s lightning-fast reflexes.
The turning point of the match arrives at the 84th minute. In a header in the Lazio penalty area, Goldoni touches the ball with her arm in an awkward manner, and the referee has no doubt in pointing to the penalty spot. Girelli steps up and converts, scoring Juventus’ first goal of the season and, more importantly, sealing the first three points of the season.
Golden point for Parma in Milan: Inter and Parma settle for a 0-0 draw
Inter – Parma 0 – 0
It’s the second consecutive draw for Inter by Piovani, as they play out a dull 0-0 against the newly promoted Parma at the Arena Civica Gianni Brera. The home team dominates the game from the early minutes, but there are few opportunities in the first half to trouble Ceasar’s goal.
In the second half, Inter tries more persistently, coming close to scoring with Glionna and Tomaselli in two chances. The former Roma winger hits the post with a sure shot before missing wide on the rebound. The midfielder, on an assist from Glionna, sends her effort wide from the center of the yellow-blue area. The balls rain down on the Parma goalkeeper, but never truly trouble her, thanks to an organized and compact Parma defense.
A bitter draw for the Nerazzurre, who miss the opportunity to close the gap on Roma in the standings. A good draw for Parma, confirming their last-minute victory against Sassuolo in the previous round.
Serie A Women, standings and next matchday
| Teams | Points | G | W | D | L | GD |
|————|——–|—|—|—|—|—-|
| Roma | 9 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Lazio | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Napoli | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Inter | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Fiorentina | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Sassuolo | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Juventus | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Parma | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -3 |
| Genoa | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Milan | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| Como | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -1 |
| Ternana | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -8 |Next Matchday:
- Saturday, November 1
- Parma vs. Napoli at 12:30
- Milan vs. Lazio at 15:00
- Como vs. Genoa at 18:00
- Sunday, November 2
- Roma vs. Inter at 12:30
- Juventus vs. Ternana at 15:00
- Sassuolo vs. Fiorentina at 18:00
Women
Inter Women, the European dream continues: surpassing Vllaznia

Important victory for Inter Women who easily surpass Vllaznia and secure a spot in the Women’s Europa Cup round of 16. Piovani’s girls offered another great performance after the 7-0 in the first leg, adding 5 more goals away from home, practically securing their qualification in the competition. Vllaznia-Inter Women 0-5, a show of strength from the Nerazzurri […]
The post Inter Women, il sogno europeo continua: superato il Vllaznia first appeared on Calcio style.
Women
Wednesday’s results in the Women’s Champions League – Soccer style
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Disappointing home debut for Rossettini’s Roma. Defeated 0-4 against Barcelona’s aliens in a sold-out Tre Fontane.
Second matchday and second defeat for Roma under Rossettini in the Women’s Champions League. After facing Real Madrid a week ago, Roma welcomed the aliens from Barcelona. “Aliens” because they are not only one of the strongest, if not the strongest, teams in the world, but also had a superb start to the season.
Since the beginning of the 2025/2026 season, Barcelona has played 8 matches, winning all of them, scoring 44 goals and conceding only two. A true powerhouse, which also crushed the Giallorossa team in a completely sold-out Tre Fontane.
ROMA FEMMINILE FORMATION (PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI)
Despite a significant technical gap, Rossettini‘s girls managed to keep up with the Spanish team in the first half, ending the first half only one goal down, scored less than two minutes into the match. Roma played a defensive game, trying to limit Barcelona‘s constant passing game and exploiting their high defensive line for counterattacks.
The opportunity for an equalizer came to Viens, who faced the opposing goalkeeper one-on-one but was unable to score. In the second half, due to collective fatigue, Barcelona scored three more goals past Baldi‘s goal. The Spanish team also missed a penalty with former Ballon d’Or winner Putellas, who shot high.
Despite the differences on the field, there are positive aspects for coach Rossettini to take into account for the upcoming matches in the league and Champions League, where the opponents will be, at least on paper, more manageable and within reach.
Roma – Barcelona 0 – 4
(2′ Brugts, 58′ Nazareth, 71′ pen. Putellas, 90′ Hansen)
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