She has big plans in Rome: Pilgrim’s future in the Nati storm belongs to her

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With her first appearance under Pia Sundhage (64), Alayah Pilgrim impressively underlined her ambitions: the 20-year-old’s future belongs to the Nati team. Against Poland, the Aargau native scored every long ball, was in motion a lot and scored her second goal in her seventh international match just before half-time. Pilgrim spiritedly pushes the ball over the line after a rebound from the Polish keeper.

“I felt very comfortable in the position in the center of the attack,” said the goalscorer after the 4-1 friendly win. At her club Roma, where the former FCZ player has been under contract since January, she is usually used as a substitute on the wing. Pilgrim is still waiting for her starting eleven debut, but her playing times are increasing from match to match.

Italian course once a week

“They have a clear plan for me,” says the Nati attacker, who has repeatedly struggled with muscle problems in the past. At Roma, she must now be brought step by step to the level of the Italian league. “The intensity is completely different than in the Super League,” said the 20-year-old.

Although she has only recently been able to move into her own apartment, Pilgrim already feels at home in Rome. “The old town is incredible!” she says enthusiastically. The only thing the Nati hope still struggles with is language. «I understand Italian to some extent. But speaking is not yet going well,” says Pilgirm. To ensure that this changes as quickly as possible, she takes a course once a week.

Calligaris hopes that Juventus can catch up

Viola Calligaris (28) also needs to brush up on her Italian. Just like her Nati colleague Pilgrim, the defender also moved to Serie A this winter. At Juventus Turin, the woman from Obwalden wants to get more match training again after a disappointing six months at PSG. So far the plan is working. She is used in five of the six matches and continues to play every time. “This is exactly what I was looking for,” says Calligaris happily.

The only disadvantage: Juventus is already eight points behind leader Rome in second place in the rankings. There are eight games remaining in the championship round. “From now on, every match is a final,” says Calligaris. If “Le bianconere” does not catch up, Pilgrim can soon look forward to their first Italian championship title in addition to their place in the Nati storm.

Source : Blick