European Championship qualification
Now against the feared opponent: Italy is trembling about the European Championship
National coach Luciano Spalletti is under pressure with Italy. photo
© Luca Bruno/AP/dpa
Italy are European champions but missed the last two World Cups. There’s trembling again in the European Championship qualification. Almost everything is at stake against North Macedonia and Ukraine.
The small Balkan country is only in 66th place in the FIFA world rankings, but is almost something of a feared opponent for Italy. In qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar, the Azzurri ultimately failed against North Macedonia – with a 1-0 defeat at home. So far there has only been one win in four games. “Fear? That only drives us,” said Italy coach Luciano Spalletti with a decidedly calm tone.
On Monday evening, on the very last matchday of Group C, there will be a direct duel (8.45 p.m.) against their closest competitor, Ukraine. Leaders England have already secured their spot at the European Championships. “Another 180 minutes until we know the fate of Italy,” wrote the “Gazzetta dello Sport”.
Most recently defeat in England
After all: Spalletti’s selection is still in her own hands. After the recent 3-1 defeat against England at Wembley Stadium, Italy has ten points, Ukraine has 13, but already has a game more. If the Azzurri manage to win against North Macedonia, a draw will be enough on Monday.
Otherwise they would definitely need a threesome to secure qualification. Ukraine actually has home advantage – but because of Russia’s war against its neighboring country, the game will take place in Leverkusen.
Spalletti, who once again led SSC Napoli to the Seria A championship title last season after more than 30 years, and his team are now under considerable pressure. The 64-year-old is still quite relaxed at the training camp in Florence. “A win in the first game would be a nice advantage in the second game,” he commented laconically on the situation.
A detour still remains
If necessary, there would be a detour via the playoffs in the Nations League in March next year. Then three more tickets are available. But the Italians want to avoid that as much as possible. Despite the difficult situation, Spalletti has also nominated two newcomers for the team: Andrea Colpani (24) from Monza and Andrea Cambiaso (23) from Juventus Turin.
The Italians have to do without one of their young stars: Sandro Tonali, who moved from AC Milan to Premier League club Newcastle United in the summer for more than 63 million euros. The 23-year-old has been banned nationally and internationally for ten months because of his involvement in the latest betting scandal in Italian football.
Tonali had admitted that he had also bet on AC Milan games. If the Azzurri qualify, the young star would not be at the European Championships in Germany next year either.