September 28, 2000
"Dynamic Duo give Morace something to smile about" as italy defeats the Slovak Republic 2-1

Mario Rimati

Italy 2 Slovak Republic 1

The Dynamic Duo of Italy, forwards Rita Guarino and Patrizia Panico, saved the day as Italy defeated the Slovak Republic 2-1 in Carolina Morace's international debut as head coach of the national team near Grado, Italy. All did not begin well in the first friendly match for Morace and Co. as the Italians saw the Slovaks go up first in the 18th minute of the first half with a goal by Lukacsova. Two minutes later the "Scorpion", Patrizia Panico, scored off of a header to tie the match. It wasn't until the 18th of the 2nd half that Guarino saved the day with her first goal of this new national team led by the former national team captain of Italy, Morace.
About 1,000 spectators (free entrance) were on hand to take in the show.

Starting line-ups

ITALY (4-4-2)
Brenzan
Di Bari
Masia
Tesse
Tavalazzi
Deiana
Zorri,
D'Astolfo
Pellize
Panico
Guarino

Coach: Morace

Slovak Republic (3-5-2)
Bemedikova
Skodlerova
Cillikova
Gajdosova
Kudelova
Lukacsova
Gaziova
Liskova
Gerova
Budscova
Izova

Coach: Peracek

Italy's next friendly match will be in Rome against France on October 14th.