High-profile ties for Maltese players in women’s Italian Cup

The group stage draw of the 2021/2022 Italian cup for women teams has reserved a number of stand out fixtures for the Maltese players based in Italy.

This round will consist of 12 Serie A teams and 12 Serie B teams which have been divided into eight groups of 3 teams, with the first slate of fixtures penciled for October 17.

Last season, the Italian Cup – known as Coppa Italia Femminile – was won by Roma for the first time in their history. The Giallorosse have been drawn in Group H alongside Nicole Sciberras’ Tavagnacco – one of the 12 Serie B teams, and Pomigliano of Serie A.

Martina Borg, who has joined Serie B’s Roma Calcio Femminile this season, have been pitted with Serie A champions Juventus Women who have just secured their place in the group stages of this year’s UEFA Women’s Champions League. The other opponent in Group E is Pink Bari, of Serie B.

A Maltese derby will take centre stage in Group G as Emma Lipman’s Como Women of Serie B will meet Haley Bugeja’s Sassuolo, with Cesena Women being the other team drawn in this group.

Rachel Cuschieri (picture), who is playing her second straight season at Lazio, will face Fiorentina and Brescia in Group F.

Cuschieri, who last year won the Serie B with the Biancoceleste, has featured in Lazio’s opening two games in this year’s top-flight as they lost to Sampdoria (2-1) and Inter (1-0).

The winner of each group will advance to the quarter-finals of the competition.

Farrugia shining at Sunderland

Meanwhile, Sunderland Ladies’ Maria Farrugia has already caught the eye in the opening two Matchdays of the FA Women’s Championship.

In their opening game, Farrugia was named Player of the Match and Player of the Week after Sunderland defeated Coventry United 1-0.

In last week’s game, Farrugia took centre stage again as the local media heaped praise on her for her performance at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0.