by Guendalina Galdi
Italy qualifies for Euro 2024 if: here are the combinations, at least second place in group C is needed: useful results to avoid the risk of play-offs
What does Italy need to qualify for European Championship 2024? After the victory against Malta (READ the report HERE), the Azzurri caught up with Ukraine in second place in group C, who beat North Macedonia 2-0. As a result, the group standings have changed again: with these 3 points, Spalletti’s national team has 10 points, as does Ukraine, while North Macedonia is fourth with 7 points and Malta is last with 0. England leads the group with 13 points: on Tuesday Italy goes to Wembley and challenges the English, with a success they can join them in first place (then we will have to see the goal difference in the direct matches, in the first leg in Naples Southgate won 2-1). Ukraine, on the other hand, will be busy against Malta and unlikely to lose points.
The criteria in case of a tie
Italy always has the fact that it has played one match less than Ukraine, Macedonia and Malta (5 matches played against 6). The final matches will be decisive for this very reason: when Spalletti and his team host North Macedonia on 17 November, Ukraine will rest; the direct clash on November 20th could therefore be decisive, because both teams could reach 13 points. In the event of a tie on points, the first criterion that will be taken into consideration is the highest number of points in head-to-head matches, followed by the best goal difference in head-to-head matches and finally the highest number of goals scored in head-to-head matches.
The most realistic objective of Luciano Spalletti’s Italy is second place – probably behind England -, this placement guarantees direct access to the 2024 European Championship.
Second place and the risk of play-offs
If Italy were to finish in third place, however, they would still have the possibility of qualifying through the play-offs. It would therefore still be possible for the Azzurri to access the European Championship through this secondary door as they are one of the four winners of their League A grouping of the Nations League (along with the Netherlands, Croatia and Spain). However, it will then be necessary to win these playoffs which will be played on 21 and 26 March 2024, after a draw that will determine the unseeded pairings, therefore without being certain which match will be played at home (whether the first leg or the second leg). . The play-offs therefore emerge as a possibility but at the same time as a risk, specifically given the previous Azzurri; this is why Spalletti, after his first 6 official matches as coach, was called to close the group in second place to make the team and fans celebrate for certain and direct access to next year’s European Championship.
The Group C ranking
England 13 points – 5 games played
Italy 10 points – 5 games played
Ukraine 10 points – 6 games played
North Macedonia 7 points – 6 games played
Malta 0 points – 6 games played
The Group C calendar
Saturday 14 October
Ukraine-North Macedonia 2-0 (played at 3pm)
Italy-Malta 4-0 HERE the news
Tuesday 17 October
England-Italy (8.45pm)
Malta-Ukraine (8.45pm)
Friday 17 November
Italy-North Macedonia (8.45pm)
England-Malta (8.45pm)
Monday 20 November
Ukraine-Italy (8.45pm)
North Macedonia-England (8.45pm)
October 14, 2023 (modified October 14, 2023 | 11:01 pm)
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2023-10-14 20:57:02
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