Andrea Soncin recently succeeded Michele Arnautovic as national coach of the Italian women’s national team. Now in his very first senior management role, he is wasting no time pushing the envelope. Since taking the helm in 2023, Soncin has doubled down on tactical strategy. He wants to improve the level of his players with Euro 2025 on the horizon.
Soncin has created an extensive 48-page playbook outlining his tactical vision, especially in relation to unlocking opponents’ low defensive blocks. This approach reflects his understanding of the game’s intricacies, honed during his playing career, which saw him rise from fifth league football to the top division. He shows no small degree of pride in this ongoing journey that led him to coach differently.
Soncin’s coaching style is characterized by an emphasis on developing the individual player. He emphasizes, “Before the athlete, the person comes first. Each of us is unique. Then there are all the technical, tactical and methodological aspects.” This shift in philosophy has created a wholly positive and encouraging atmosphere with the organization, extremely important for developing confidence and instilling awareness in the kids.
Since his appointment, Soncin has introduced an eclectic, tactical system. Then, he modifies it to maximize his team’s strengths and minimize his opponent’s strengths. For instance, he shifted to a 3-5-2 formation during a decisive 4-0 victory over Finland that secured Italy’s qualification for Euro 2025. He reverted to a back four against the Netherlands. This decision was a high point, demonstrating his talent and competence for changing tactics in correlation to match flow.
Soncin’s analytical approach is evident in his review of specific matches, including games involving Brescia and Sassuolo, or Belgium and Panama at the 2018 men’s World Cup. He notes, “It often happens, due to superiority or opponent strategy, that you have to face a team that defends in the last quarter of the pitch.” Knowing what these dynamics mean is key to crafting the best game plans.
As he looks towards Euro 2025, Soncin is well aware of the need for tactical differences. He states, “Positional attack, relational attack, combinations, direct vertical play – all situations can be effective. The important thing is coherence between what is proposed in training and the objectives.” This flexibility will be even more important as Italy now prepares to face a variety of opponents in the tournament.
Soncin might have relatively less experience in the women’s game than most of his contemporaries, but that hasn’t dampened his confidence. He has extraordinary faith in himself to lead Italy to great success. He understands how each player is different and wants to help create the best environment for them to flourish in. “Their willingness and determination can make the difference. Ours is an extremely positive journey and we cannot wait to get started,” he says.
Soncin’s commitment to achieving better outcomes is reflected in his eagerness to go above and beyond to find out innovative concepts and tactics. “I am constantly updating and studying to discover new ideas, methods and strategies,” he explains. This commitment extends far beyond his own coaching repertoire and creates a culture of growth throughout his team.
His coaching journey has already seen moments of celebration, including sliding on his belly in the rain after Italy’s qualification for Euro 2025. These passionate expressions of joy show a coach who truly cares about his team’s achievements and their well-being outside of sports.
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