Having already won league titles and earned international recognition, in the summer of 2018 Elisa Bartoli answered the call home - returning to Rome to lead the club she supported as a child in its first foray in women's football.

A talismanic figure within the squad ever since, Bartoli - along with coach Betty Bavagnoli - has helped set the tone for the Giallorosse in the season and a half of setbacks and success that has followed.

In our latest Big Interview, the 28-year-old reflects on a career that has taken from playing alongside boys at junior level all the way to the quarter-finals of last summer's Women's World Cup...

What were you like as a child?

“I was reserved and shy and I had difficulty relating to others. I was quiet and I kept everything to myself – I couldn’t even talk to my parents. I still tend to keep things to myself now, albeit a bit less than before.”

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

“Yes, I have a sister who’s eight years older than me. So basically she had her life and I had mine – we still had a few arguments at home, though! Because of the age gap, I was closer to my cousin Simone, who is a year older. He was born on 8 May and I was born on 7 May so we used to celebrate our birthdays together at my nan’s house. I spent more of my childhood with him than with my sister.”

What part of Rome did you grow up in?

“Ponte Milvio. I basically grew up in the courtyard at my nan’s house. I used to love Sunday lunches at her place. After school we’d go there to play football from 5 o’clock to half past seven, then my mum would come down and drag me back home – otherwise I’d have stayed there and kept playing till late.”

Did you play football at school too?

“Yes. Even at primary school I’d play football with the boys– I’ve always loved football. The main place was the courtyard at my nan’s., thought. We played there with older kids. I was the youngest and they used to put me in goal at the start – you can imagine how many times I got hit by the ball!”