Manuela Giugliano Reaches 100 Caps for Italy

In Leskovac, Giugliano once again showed why she has been one of the cornerstones of Italy’s midfield for more than a decade. Her delivery from a set piece created the opening goal for Cristiana Girelli, and her quality on dead-ball situations also helped produce another assist in a match that underlined her leadership, vision, and technical excellence. Italian reports described her as one of the standout performers in a game that relaunched Italy’s push for the top spot in the qualifying group. In this match Giugliano playing a decisive role by providing two assists. She became the 15th player in the history of the Azzurre to reach 100 appearances.

Giugliano’s international journey began remarkably early. Born in 1997, she made her senior debut for Italy on 25 October 2014 in a 2-1 win over Ukraine, after receiving her first call-up from then-head coach Antonio Cabrini while still not yet 18 years old. Her first goal for the senior national team came less than a year later, on 18 September 2015, in a 6-1 victory against Georgia. From the beginning, she stood out as one of the brightest talents of her generation and was the first among the Italy Under-17 bronze-medal group to establish herself with the senior side. Over the years, Giugliano has become one of the defining figures of modern Italian women’s football.

Manuela Giugliano at Leskovac

She has represented Italy in three UEFA Women’s European Championships—2017, 2022, and 2025—as well as in two FIFA Women’s World Cups, in 2019 and 2023. Beyond the statistics, the symbolic value of her 100th cap is just as important. Giugliano belongs to the generation that helped restore Italy’s prominence in women’s football, contributing to the team’s return to the World Cup in 2019 and to its steady presence on the European stage. Her century of appearances is therefore not only a personal accomplishment, but also part of a broader story of growth, visibility, and competitiveness for the Azzurre.

Leskovac Stadium

After the final whistle in Serbia, Giugliano herself spoke about the emotional meaning of the milestone, calling it a special day and the result of years of sacrifice and daily work. In a 6-0 win that showcased Italy’s depth and ambition, her 100th appearance felt like the perfect summary of her international career so far: elegant, influential, and deeply connected to the progress of the national.