The Australian, who piloted Arsenal to the Women’s Super League crown in England last season, is convinced a team bristling with firepower have nothing to fear in France - and will comfortably live up to their top-six billing.
Concerns have been raised over the lack of defensive depth, an issue exacerbated by the loss of Laura Alleway to injury at the eleventh hour.
The leaking of eight goals in warm-up losses to USA and the Netherlands - 5-3 and 3-0 respectively- has highlighted the problem.
But, speaking ahead of the Matildas’ Group C opener against Italy in Valenciennes on Sunday evening (AEST), Montemurro - who led Melbourne City to two W-League titles before taking charge of the Gunners - is bullish over their prospects.
“They played two very good teams in those preparation games that might be there at the end in France and that needs to be put into perspective,” he told The World Game.
“You’d expect them to get out of the group (which also includes Brazil and Jamaica) and at least into the last eight.
“They are a big game team that’s been together for a while now and they’re used to pressure situations.
“There’s a big opportunity there to take it to the next level - and I think they’ll do that.”
For all his faith in Ante Milicic’s swashbuckling side, Montemurro feels that one of the European powers will ultimately prevail.
“It’s very hard to pick it because the USA will always be thereabouts but I think the eventual winner will come from one of England, Germany, France, the Netherlands - or perhaps even one of the Scandinavian teams (Norway or Sweden),” he added.
“The Matildas will cause problems to anybody they face - and will be a team nobody will enjoy coming up against.”
Whilst in awe of their talent up-top, Montemurro isn’t convinced the Matildas possess the overall depth of some of the other leading contenders.
“I was talking to a couple of the Arsenal girls in the England camp the other day and they have 23 top players to pick from and if they need to change things up and do something different they can,” he said.
“There’s a bit of difference there with Australia who are probably a little bit light on when you start getting into the depths of the squad.”
He believes ball retention will be key for the Matildas in protecting a defense which isn’t as secure as they’d like.
“If you can keep the ball then you’re by nature going to be doing less defending and can minimise situations where you have to drop deep in large numbers,” he pointed out.
“The Matildas need to be strong in that aspect and if they do that they should avoid any massive transition moments and move smoothly deep into the tournament.
“They’ll have it over Italy for speed and physicality and I think they also have the tactical smarts to get off to a winning start, which I feel is very important.
“I think it could be a cagey sort of game but we have the ability there to really exploit the occasion.
“Brazil (whom Australia face on Friday) are going through a bit of a change but it’s Brazil, and when you put them together with World Cups anything can happen.
“Jamaica are a bit of the unknown quantity in some ways and all it takes is an early lapse and you’re suddenly under pressure.
“It’s tournament football and anything could happen. But I’m sure they’ll have done their homework and will be prepared.”
