European Championship qualification
Two years after winning the European Championship, the Italian national team is in danger of missing the 2024 European Championships after two World Cups. Things are simmering in the team, and the next opponent is North Macedonia on Friday (8:45 p.m.). Because the opponent brings back bad memories in the minds of the Italians. In four games so far, the four-time world champion has only prevailed once.
17.11.2023 12.38
Online since today, 12:38 p.m
The 1-0 home defeat in the most recent World Cup qualifier, which deprived Italy of participation in the tournament in Qatar, was particularly painful. In any case, the Azzurri need a win at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday in order to draw level on points with the Ukrainians, who placed second in the group. At the end of the qualification on Monday, the summit with Ukraine in their alternative location in Leverkusen is on the agenda. Italy won the first comparison 2-1. Leaders England have already secured their European Championship ticket thanks to five wins from six games.
Team boss Luciano Spalletti appeared calm before meeting North Macedonia again. “Fear? “It just drives us,” said Roberto Mancini’s successor. Spalletti was already feeling the strength of North Macedonia: the 1-1 draw in Skopje in the first duel in September was his debut as “Commissario Tecnico” of the Italian national team.
APA/AFP/Glyn Kirk Luciano Spalletti is hoping for a complete success in front of the home fans
Not the best conditions
The Italians still have everything in their own hands in the current qualifying. There is also the possibility of qualifying via the Nations League play-offs. However, dark clouds have gathered over the “Squadra”, who delighted fans worldwide at the last European Championship with their atypically spectacular, forward-oriented style of play.
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UEFA Euro 2024 qualification
European champion coach Mancini suddenly prefers to train in Saudi Arabia over his home country “for personal reasons”. The two team players Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli were banned for illegal betting. Nicolo Zaniolo, the third international in the group, who has not yet been sanctioned, is said to be an active part of a gambling ring.
There is considerable pressure on Spalletti. The 64-year-old is still quite relaxed at the training camp near Florence. “A win in the first game would be a nice advantage in the second game,” he commented laconically on the situation. Despite the difficult situation, Spalletti has nominated two newcomers: midfielder Andrea Colpani (24) from Monza and defender Andrea Cambiaso (23) from Juventus Turin.
