.png)
Connected: Inside Elena Linari's Game
- 16 hours ago
- 7 min read
Elena Linari has never been afraid to step into the unknown. From the muddy pitches of Florence to travelling Europe with football, the experienced defender has built a career on courage, curiosity and conviction.
Now, after her first season in English football with London City Lionesses, Linari reflects on life in the WSL, the growing power of the women’s game, the teammates who have helped her settle at Cobdown Park, her love of rugby union, her future coaching aspirations and the values that continue to shape her both on and off the pitch.
Firstly, let’s go right back to the beginning. What are your early memories of growing up in Italy?
I’m born in Fiesole, near Florence, grew up in a Castello, a neighbourhood of the city, and started playing football very young at age five and joined local youth clubs before moving into more serious academy football as a teenager. I played on muddy pitches with other kids from the village and pretended to be Luca Toni, the Fiorentina striker at that time, during childhood kickabouts around Florence.
You started your professional career with ACF Firenze, before moving to Brescia and back in Florence for Fiorentina. After time in Spain at Atletico Madrid and a short spell at Bordeaux in 2020, you travelled home to Italy to join Roma. How do you compare training and playing in the different countries versus in England?
When I first arrived, I was surprised for the duals and intensity in every game. Even when you face a team that is lower in the standings, everyone never gives up and wants to win every ball and then there’s reduced time for controlling and passing the ball. You need to look before you receive because if not, you can lose easily possession. When I moved to Madrid, it was my first experience abroad and it was a bit a shock for me. But I wanted to move out of my comfort zone. It gave me a good experience and took me out of a safe and comfortable zone, where I was with Fiorentina. I feel privileged to have played in different countries. It enriched me, my character, my personality and for sure my football career.
Have you noticed many differences off the field with women’s football here in the UK?
I would say the crowds. It’s been incredible to see our crowds grow throughout the season at Bromley. We also play at some wonderful venues away from home too. When I started playing, there were just parents or relatives there. Now people want to come and follow our teams and players. People want to come to see these players, and I think this is something that’s changed completely. Also, especially in England, people are getting involved with the fanzones, where you can stay and have fun with other people. What we have in Bromley is fantastic from my own perspective, from what I had in Italy. There is such a focus on the overall matchday experience. The broadcasting has changed a lot. Now we have BBC, Sky Sports, that broadcast all our matches. There is radio commentary too. I think this is very important. But I am sure in the future it will be even bigger, more interactive and interesting for all the ages. I think this is also a big London City goal for the seasons ahead.
BE THERE FOR WHAT COMES NEXT.
How would you sum up your first season at London City and in the WSL?
When I received the call from London City last summer, it was a dream come true. Coming here at 31 was not an easy decision, but you have the will inside of you to say “I can do something more than just stay in Italy”. I had butterflies in my stomach, so it means it’s time to move again, try something different but also keep living my dreams. I had this feeling. Now we are approaching our final game, I’m content with the season. We are a new club in the top-flight, have a number of young players. I am not completely satisfied both for me and the team. Individually I think I need to still learn a lot especially in reading the game. Here in England they’re used to playing more long balls than what I was used to do so if I want to improve I need to make them and when I make them even more effective. Many of my teammates are very young and need time to adapt. We are showing what we can do, showing good fight and working hard to develop - I’m confident for next season. Working all together since the pre-season will also help us in finding more link and bonds.
Around the training ground, you get on with everyone. What is your relationship with your current teammates from your perspective?
I love it here. I spent a season-and-a-half playing with Saki (Kumagai) in Roma and still, I am just trying to learn from her every day on the pitch with her position in front of me in the back line, and also when we play in the back four. She’s a wonderful player and a great person. She can predict where the ball arrives, she’s amazing. In general, I can say that I feel very good with all the girls. They’re so welcoming, smiling people and many of them, being young, are so full of energy. I speak a lot also with Julia Roddar, Kosovare Asllani, Grace Geyoro, Delphine Cascarino and Daniëlle van de Donk. For me, it is a dream come true to share the same locker room with them. It’s been a great first season, but I’m already looking forward to see what’s next.
You’re an all-round sports fan and attended the Women’s Six Nations launch in March, linking up with Italy and Harlequins prop Silvia Turani. How was that for you?
It’s been great to get to know Silvia (Turani). There are similarities to our stories, we are both here in London and both represent our national teams. I have always had an affinity with rugby. I played rugby when I was at university studying sports science. My dad played rugby when he was younger, he gave me the addiction of rugby. It was great for me to see the values that you find in rugby. I’m really enjoying following the Six Nations tournament which is only getting bigger. Last Saturday I had the chance to see Italy-England live. It was my first Six Nations game and felt a full-circle moment. We had Italy vs England in the semi-finals of the Euros last summer and now I was able watch my country take on England in rugby with my family at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma.
You’ve spoken before about your parents being some of the biggest influences in career and your life, can you tell us a little more about that?
My dad was always there for me. The best thing he did in my young years was that he was very demanding of me, in a good way. He always told me about one or two mistakes I was making in the games. And just a few times he said “well done”. But I appreciate it because what I have in my life, what I have now is a great value. I don’t want to forget where I come from, all the stuff I did to arrive here. And how can I forget my mum with all the efforts she made, splitting herself between two daughters that were doing two different sports, but always giving us all the energies she had, never complaining but always working hard. They gave me a lot of values. My mum always told me, “If you want to go to training then you have to do your homework!” So it was about deserving everything and it was good for me. And a very important role was represented by my sister. Yes we had different expectations for our lives but we’ve always tried to keep our union. Family is the most important part of my life.
In terms of coaching, is there a particular area you’re looking to move into when the time is right?
At this point I honestly don’t know. I’m doing the UEFA B licence. In the future, I think I would like to be a first team coach. I believe if you want to be a great coach you need to develop through the levels. Working in the academies and with young players, the players have the passion, commitment and love for football that perhaps when we become older we might lose a little bit on occasion. For young people it's vital to enjoy, have fun and smile and coaching in these areas is important for my future and improvements. My thinking is to start from academy level, watching and observing coaches and trying to be more involved and closer to the players to see their reaction, to see how they feel, the questions they are asking. That's my plan. Then I will see what happens. We will see when I hang up my boots my direction, where I am with my licences. In the immediate term, I’d like to gain lots of experience, learn and improve personally.
You’ve built a career defined not just by football but by social justice. What moments shaped your belief that football can be a platform for change?
When I was younger I saw well-known people such as actors who were able to share their thoughts and experiences, help the others in the process of doing so. My coming out in 2019 was a very special moment for me. I received a lot of support and felt a connection to people for what they were going through. People said ‘thank you for sharing’ as they were living the same and they said ‘you gave me the strength to not quit’. That gave me the idea and understanding that even though I am not so famous all over the world or as famous as some of those actors I mentioned, I have a profile and can really have an impact by sharing my thoughts, ideas and try to help the planet be a better place not only from an individual perspective but also for the environment. I just want to play my part. For me, posting, talking and being part of these processes and discussions is no issue. I want to be there and help others, people who have more challenges. As an athlete, I see that as part of my job and a part I am grateful for.
