«I squeeze my faith tightly and it is with me. For the women’s Serie A, the 1982 champions wrote to me in the chat they had with Paolo»- Corriere.it

The suitcase on the bed is that of a long journey. Together with Maria Vittoria and Sofia Elena, the daughters of Paolo Rossi (red roses and a dedication in his name on each birthday of the little ones is the disposition left by Pablito in his will), Federica Cappelletti is about to take off for Australia and New Zealand, venues for the Women’s World Cup kicking off on 20 July. In the trolley, as well as a rich sample of gadgets to cheer on Italy (“We went shopping with the girls: flags, sweatshirts, everything tricolor we’ll need to support the national team”), the new institutional role of Federica, elected by vote unanimous of all the companies president of the women’s Serie A Division, the body of the FIGC that manages the Italian professional championship.

How much did Gabriele Gravina, the number one of the Football Federation have to insist?

«Not at all: it’s my idea to run as a candidate, amplifying the women’s movement had already intrigued me for a while. Football was my daily bread and Paolo’s, who had a broad vision: he followed the men’s national team, of course, but also young people and girls. The values ​​of sport and the concept of team are my husband’s legacy that I will carry with me».

Why her, Federica?

«For the determination to get up immediately after such great pain, perhaps, in keeping Paolo Rossi’s name high with the Foundation, in wanting to raise two little girls. I didn’t aspire to hold positions, I aspire to do things”.

The professionalism of soccer girls must be consolidated. As?

«With a sustainable autonomy of Serie A, the involvement of the clubs, the full application of apprenticeship (recognized by law in 2021), the recognition by the Government of the introduction to professionalism (which provides tax relief for contracts for young female athletes), the growth of nurseries, greater visibility and, therefore, higher revenues to distribute to companies. The next season will be an important transition season: an enormous job awaits us».

The next championship still lacks a title sponsor and a TV that broadcasts the matches.

We will soon be able to communicate news.

Roberto Baggio says he likes female players because women have passion and character. What was Paolo Rossi passionate about?

«The psychology of the girls, which also fascinates me, the predisposition to work, the iron will and the ability to work in a group. Paolo recalled Bearzot’s teamwork in Italy, which allowed that team to win the ’82 World Cup. Neither simulations nor waste of time: women go onto the pitch and play».

Comparisons with men, however, seem impossible to get rid of. Yet no footballer has ever dreamed of saying that she claims the earnings of her male colleagues.

«In Italy it is a cultural question. Football was born in the 1800s as a men’s game; the women arrive in Milan in the 1930s. The development of women’s football is slower and more difficult: the first strong resistance is accepting that women wear shorts. In 2023, I believe we are ready to go further. The turning point is not comparing but collaborating: why can’t the millions of men’s football fans support women’s football?

Speaking of comparisons: Milena Bertolini’s Italy is there at the World Cup, unlike Mancini’s.

«We need balance, the World Cup must be faced with serenity. The top scorer of ’82, Paolo, certainly didn’t arrive in Spain as a messiah, nor did that Italy start as the favourite. We know how it turned out. Football always represents a great unknown factor: nothing is taken for granted».

How can the women’s championship, which has remained in its niche despite its professionalism, be made more popular?

“Communication is key. I would like to take our football beyond national borders, transform league matches into small events, broaden the catchment area».

The ’82 world champions could lend a hand.

«They filled the chat they shared with Paolo with congratulations on my election. The first was Cabrini, who coached the women’s national team, followed by the others: Tardelli, Altobelli, Conti, Antognoni, everyone. We’ll be there if you need them, they wrote. I was very pleased with him: the Italy of 1982 is, after all, a family. Here, I would like to involve them, take them to the stadium to see the women. Since Paolo has been gone, they haven’t left me alone for a moment».

Don’t you sense their skepticism towards girls?

“Neither bias nor skepticism. On the contrary. I hope to be able to compare myself often with them during the championship».

The blue girls who surprisingly reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2019 have become a reference model for Italian girls who are passionate about football. As a manager, who do you refer to?

«Rather than being inspired by icons, I decided to do the reverse procedure. I will take the field myself, I will travel to meet clubs and girls, I will study the history of our women’s football. I will not be a desk president. Listening and observing will be my mantra: only by knowing things from within can one change».

Besides love and memory, does an object of Paul’s survive that he will take with him on this journey as an amulet?

«The band we exchanged in the hospital shortly before my husband passed away: no, not the wedding band, an even more special ring. The memory of him is very present, but if I hold that faith tightly I feel Paul here with me ».