FIFA 23: Everton's Aurora Galli discusses importance of including women's teams

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GiveMeSport

·26 October 2022

FIFA 23: Everton's Aurora Galli discusses importance of including women's teams

Everton star Aurora Galli was the first ever Italian female footballer to play professionally.

Having signed for the Merseyside club from Juventus in 2021, the 25-year-old made an immediate impact in her first season and has featured in all but one of the Toffees’ league games so far this campaign.

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GiveMeSport Women spoke with Galli at the Women’s Football Summit, presented by EA SPORTS, to discuss the introduction of Women’s Super League players on FIFA 23, how the women’s game has evolved and the importance of having support from fans.

Why is having women’s clubs on FIFA 23 so important?

This year marks the first time women’s domestic leagues are playable on FIFA and Galli stressed that the ability for football fans to use such teams will help countless people resonate with women’s football.

“It’s so important,” said the midfielder. “For so long it’s been just the men on FIFA and there’s been no [acknowledgement] of the women as well.

“Now, young people playing the game can understand more about women’s football and what it has to offer. Fans now have more information about the players, like which ones are the fastest, which will help them get to know players better.”

How has women’s football evolved in recent years?

With FIFA fans now able to enjoy playing with the likes of Galli, Izzy Christiansen, Toni Duggan and other Everton stars, it’s evident how far women’s football has come in recent years and things don’t appear to be slowing down.

Reflecting on the evolution of the game during her career so far, Galli emphasised that the approach to women’s footbll has changed –– which is making a world of difference.

“I came to play in England last season and before I played in Italy,” she explained. “I can see the improvements in terms of everything. Before in Italy, we were training very late in the evening and now, in England, we train in the morning. The facilities are better, the stadiums are better –– everything is starting to improve.”

What makes playing in the WSL so special?

While Galli has only been at Everton for just over a year, she has settled nicely in England and emphasised that the WSL is like no other league she has played in.

Indeed, though the Italian star has spent time at Verona and Juventus, among other sides, she believes WSL fans are unrivalled.

It’s the fans that make a difference. There are so many more people watching our games.

“It’s also more professional here. Every game and every player is analysed in such detail and there’s just such a big focus on the women’s game.”

How big an impact has Euro 2022 had on women’s football?

It was a similar story at Euro 2022 in the summer as record crowds gathered across the UK for the biggest major women’s football tournament in history.

Galli played in the competition and described the experience as “incredible”, despite Italy being eliminated in the group stages.

“The Euros was an amazing atmosphere because the stadiums were so full all the time,” she said. “I played in France for the World Cup but the Euros were on another level.

“In Italy, we say the fans are the 12th player on the pitch. If you don’t have fans you’re not as fully charged. You take the energy of your fans and sometimes that spurs you on.”

What’s it like playing at big stadiums?

The success of the Euros has led to more women’s matches being held at big football stadiums across Europe.

Already this season, we’ve seen the North London Derby take place at the Emirates and Liverpool face Everton at Anfield.

“I hope it’s going to become a regular thing,” Galli exemplified. “It’s so important for us. When we played at Anfield, the atmosphere was amazing and I want to feel the same emotions again in the future. So, I hope the fans continue to keep coming to our games.”