Less than 24 hours to go. Just under a day e Italy will have the certainty of having snatched the pass for the last act or not of the, unfortunately for us lengthened, path to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Tomorrow at this time the Italian people will have the certainty of qualifying for the final against the winner between Portugal and Turkey to be played away, or that of another scorching elimination with the second consecutive World Cup to watch from home on the sofa. And if on paper the one against North Macedonia represents for the Azzurri a challenge probably not so demanding, it is equally true that there are hidden pitfalls that make this match not only underestimated, but that Mancini cannot fail.
THE SPECTRUM OF ELIMINATION – And the biggest pitfall also considering the words of the coach that of captain Giorgio Chiellini today at the press conference, is represented precisely by that nefarious precedent against Sweden that cost the World Cup 4 years ago to Italy at the time of Ventura on the bench, but also of many of the members of this group. An enlarged squad of 33 players, so the watchword is “play and patience”, to avoid being overwhelmed by the emotions that precisely that scorching elimination brings with it and can affect many of the squad. It is no coincidence, in fact, that the two protagonists of today have tried to put that boulder in a corner: “let’s try not to make history in negative” and “that experience makes us more mature and aware”.
THE CHARGE OF PALERMO – To act as a counterbalance, but also as a lit fuse in case of difficulty, there is certainly the incredible enthusiasm that you live and breathe in a Palermo that responded present to support this national team. There will be a full house with the capacity brought again and for the first time to 100% of a Barbera that promises to be fiery. The FIGC has chosen a “lucky” square with the Favorita which sees the Azzurri in a positive streak of victories from 6 races and in which they have won 13 victories in 15 matches. The rosanero city is slowly turning blue and is ready to push with its proven warmth.
CHIELLINI AND RIGORIST – Mancini basically cannot fail, and it is of little use to remind the world how the coach actually only had 4 days, of which only 1 full work day with his players called up. For this reason, every choice was considered 100%, leaving out experiments such as those of a return to the blue of Balotelli or the summons of boys who are currently out of the loop. Only Bonucci today does not give certainty about the physical status and works to the maximum to be there in the eventual final. Chiellini is and remains the biggest doubt of training, but the captain who is well could be spared in view of the eventual final because a relapse against North Macedonia could affect the final and beyond. The other doubt is instead that of the one who, if necessary, will find himself kicking a possible penalty kick. Yes, precisely the penalties that, wrong from jorginho both the first leg and the return match against Switzerland cost Italy direct qualification for the World Cup. If there is a penalty who will throw it? Mancini has made it clear that he will not take a clear choice and, probably, if Jorginho feels it he will still be the chosen one. There is no shortage of alternatives, from Berardi to Insigne and, above all, Ciro Immobile. The Lazio striker is the most credible alternation, with the hope that the goal, from his feet, can arrive even earlier, on action, to give the Azzurri a confidence to ward off ghosts.
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