Montemurro: The perfect way to learn international football is through experience
CommBank Matildas Head Coach Joe Montemurro explained that the squad was continuing to grow their understanding of international football as the team prepared for the final game of the window against Panama on Tuesday evening.
Montemurro was speaking to media at the official pre-match press conference in Perth.
“I haven't really looked at [game one v Panama] as a loss - I've looked at it more as information for us to go forward,” he said.
“When you make a lot of changes like that, there was going to be a little bit of instability, but I still have belief in the process, and still have belief going forward.
“You have to look at the positives, the negatives, and where they can learn. There’s a little bit of a general cultural piece that we can take out of it - understanding international football, understanding what to do when a team breaks up the game.
“The perfect way of learning these levels of international football is through an experience like we had the other day.”
He explained that the players would take what they learned from the experience, and apply it to game two.
“There were some good passages, it just wasn't continuous enough, and it wasn't intelligent enough,” he said.
“It’s about making sure that we stick to our style, stick to what we believe in. That's the most important thing, that always has to be the base. Then, find a solution to the problems that the opposition give us.
“It’s only going to be better for them going forward. Because, as I've said all along, we have to be better with the ball under pressure. We have to understand the moments that we can go forward, and the times we have to prepare with the ball.”
He confirmed that Emily Gielnik, Alex Chidiac and Kaitlyn Torpey all left the camp at the conclusion of the game on Saturday and have returned to their clubs for training.
He also confirmed that Teagan Micah will not be risked in goals after suffering from whiplash during the second half in Bunbury.
The midfield is one of the most important areas in Montemurro’s system. He elaborated on how he wants to see the midfield play, with new combinations to be tested in game two.
“If we're comfortable in central areas and playing under pressure through the midfield, everything else is easy,” he said.
“We have to keep endorsing this because that will prepare everything - whether we go forward a little bit more direct, go through midfield, or whether we actually are able to play through [the lines]. We have to find a way to be comfortable doing that.
“Do I want the team to be a little bit more positive? Do I want them to be a little bit more proactive with the ball? Absolutely, but it's normal that when you introduce a way of playing that says that the ball is the be all and end all, you're going to get a little bit of safety, with the back passing.”
He said that all members of the squad were available for Tuesday evening, but that there would be changes.
“Everyone's fine,” he confirmed.
“We'll manage a little bit of load. The training has been high-intensity, and that's more to get our DNA, and understanding of where we need to be as professional athletes to compete at this level.
“So the training loads have been high, and we are managing a lot of the player’s loads, but everyone's fine.”
While the camp has been about learning and experience, Montemurro said that the team would go out to win for the final game of the window.
“We want to create the culture, we want to create the standards, we want to create an idea of football,” he said.
“There will be a wider, extended look at where we're going with the squad, but we want to do it while we're winning. So a win is important.”
Next Game
CommBank Matildas v Panama
Date: Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Kick-off: 6.00pm WST / 8.00pm AEST
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
TV Broadcast: Paramount+ exclusive
Radio Broadcast: ABC Listen App
Tickets: Buy Tickets