WOMEN'S TEAM

Galli Reflects On Season Of Change And Life On Merseyside

Aurora Galli wrote her name in the history books in the summer of 2021 when she became the first Italian to join a club in the top-flight of English women’s football.

A player who was instrumental in a dominant period for Juventus from 2017 to 2021, the 25-year-old left Turin with a bag full of winners’ medals and a hunger to add more.

However, the path Galli followed was unique for a female footballer from her homeland, uncharted territory for a midfielder encountering a new country and new language and new club.

And the player nicknamed ‘Yaya’ is learning a tremendous amount from the challenge.

“I decided to come here because I wanted to change my life and explore another world of football,” says Galli.

“It is completely different, a new life for me.

“It is important to keep an open mind and take in as much as possible from this experience – and I am really enjoying England and playing for Everton.

“It’s difficult to be the first Italian player to take this step.

“The Italian mentality is quite closed, we want to stay in our comfort zone, but sometimes we need to change, to explore new cultures.

“My thought process was, ‘Okay, will I settle in well in England?’ You never know if it’s a good decision until you make it.

“However, now I can sit here and say, ‘Yes, this was the right decision for me’, and I want to tell everyone in Italy and elsewhere that they should experience this great league and country.

“I wanted to be the first and, hopefully, I’m not the last.”

Galli embraced the various challenges attached to changing clubs and countries. The language barrier is steadily lowering, while teammates have aided the settling-in process.

“When I arrived at Everton, my English was very bad, but it has improved since then!” Galli laughs.

“When you come into a new group, it can be difficult.

“Every squad is different and the new language presented a challenge for me.

“You try to figure out which players are more open when you first meet them, which players you need to spend time to get to know more.

“I needed to understand my teammates and get to know them as people.

“I shared a flat with Leonie Maier for about three months and she helped me a lot with my English.

“Nathalie Bjorn has helped me, Courtney Brosnan as well.

“You cannot be shy, you need to try to speak the language.

“My thought process is, ‘Okay, maybe the sentence isn’t correct, but I try!’

“That’s the only way you’re going to learn and, so far, I’m doing that.”

While Galli isn’t shying away from the fact it’s been a difficult campaign for her Club, there was a personal accomplishment when the player scored the only goal in a victory at Aston Villa last month.

A blistering run into the box culminated in another landmark achievement, as Galli became the WSL’s first Italian goalscorer.

The humble Galli jokes about the absence of competition from compatriots but sources pride from the accomplishment, regardless.

“Yes, the first Italian to score in the WSL because I’m the only one here,” says Galli.

“In that moment, I just thought ‘Run’, because I know Benni (Hanna Bennison) and her quality.

“I knew that ball would reach me, all I had to do was touch and score and, thankfully, I did.

“It was when I sat down afterwards and reflected on it that I realised how proud I was of myself.

“I’m very happy and honoured that I can be the first Italian player to score in this league, but I want to inspire more girls back home to join me on this journey of playing in England.

“If I can show others what this league is about, the emotion it brings to play here, then maybe that’s a step closer for other girls to come here, too.”

While her opening English season differs significantly from the successful stint in Italy, Galli’s competitive instincts remain firmly intact.

“Every single game, I want to win,” says Galli.

“I want to win, and I want to win with Everton.

“If there’s something I can do that will help the team, I will do it.

“I arrived with the experience of winning trophies, and I want to use that experience to win trophies in England.

“This is a beautiful club, we have some very good people here.

“We need to win something and I hope we can do that in the near future.

“I want to do my part and I know this club is capable of success.”

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