Italy knows how to do it. This was repeated by both the technical commissioner Roberto Mancini and the blue captain Giorgio Chiellini on the eve of the first decisive match at the “Barbera” in Palermo against North Macedonia, for the qualification for the World Cup in Qatar. Failure would be a disaster, and not just for the European champion national team. Italy also has the memory of the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2018 World Cup fresh in its head. And it is precisely the absence of the Azzurri at the last World Cup that lays down the first of the two play-offs with many meanings through which to obtain the pass for Quatar . In fact, in the common thought of fans and professionals, it is normal for the European champion team to beat North Macedonia tomorrow and then qualify. Tomorrow’s game would go down in history only in the event of a negative result. But nobody in the blue group wants to think about this possibility.
But the coach did not lose heart and apart from the internship at the end of January he found a way to meet his boys in recent weeks with a series of dinner appointments around Italy. “My gastronomic tour went well – said Mancini – it was necessary to do it to see the players a little more, since from November we only met again in January for two days and not with everyone. It was important to meet again to talk a bit. all together, chatting and talking about home we would have worked this week. It was a positive meeting to know what to do and what not to do on the pitch. ” From the point of view of the formation Mancini does not go into the details of who will field. The fact is that this team has its strong points. This is the case of Verratti, Jorginho (“after the two mistakes in blue, he scored seven penalties in a row: if we get one we will see ..”, Mancini smiles) and Barella in midfield and of Immobile and Insigne in attack. With them forward there will be Berardi.
The only doubt is in defense and is linked to the conditions of Chiellini who seems ready to put together his 115th blue presence. If this were the case he would play paired with Bastoni in the center, with Florenzi and Emerson on the flanks in front of Donnarumma. “We must not be afraid – commented the blue captain – Since November we have been thinking about this play off: having failed the World Cup four years ago can help us, it is an experience we have lived and we know how to face the playoff. I’d like to end my career with a flourish: playing the World Cup “.
Source: Ansa
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