Italy must overcome North Macedonia and the winner between Portugal and Turkey to book a place at Qatar 2022 next year. Join the discussion on the Liveblog.
The draw for the World Cup Qualifying play-off took place on Friday night and Italy are drawn in the third path.
World Cup Qualifiers | Play-off draw: Italy face North Macedonia and potentially Portugal
The Azzurri start with a home game against North Macedonia and will play the winner of the big game between Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Hakan Calhanoglu’s Turkey in the Final of the play-offs.
A tough road ahead for Italy CT Roberto Mancini and his men, who finished second in the group behind Switzerland.
The Azzurri were seeded in the draw but were drawn in a path with some of the strongest nations still fighting for a place in the next World Cup.
Italy, who won EURO 2020 after beating England on penalties in the Final at Wembley, will play away from home in a possible Final, either in Turkey or in Portugal.
Why away from home against Turkey or Portugal? I don’t understand this stupid playoff system! Istanbul is a very tough place to play in, just ask Juventus. And if we’re playing against Portugal on their home turf, forget it!
Concentrate in winning the semi and then hopefully play and win in the final play off. Very tough but not impossible.
If Italy go through this path beating Portugal to th WC , it will regain a lot of confidence and heaviness that lost after the European championship.
Serbia just beat Portugal on their home turf Al. Its possible. We have a strong side and hopefully the Macedonian game (at home) will give them confidence.
I think Italy will need to recalibrate , plan well as they will want to win this bracket . Not an easy draw but neither was there path to win the Euro’s .
The way to look at this is if Italy can’t beat these sides and a Portugal or Turkey away from home then they in no way deserve Qatar or to consider themselves WC champion worthy. None of these sides are top competition compared to Spain, France, England and I’d include Argentina. It is better to go up against tougher sides and prove themselves or fall on their failings and weaknesses, notably not having a potent striker who can score goals
The 2nd game should be home to team with better fifa ranking it shouldn’t have been a draw that so unfair . But Italy have themselves to blame they should have made it already . Unreal !
It will be tough both games. hope Azzurri will qualify otherwise it will be a complete disaster to miss on 2 WC consecutively! However, I find Italian players perform at their best when they are hungry. On the other hand I am afraid Mancini has to read the games more wisely and perhaps utilize the players in most acute situations.
Pick the inform players and play like it’s a spot to a Major Final along with reputation at stake!! Forza Azzurri 🇮🇹👍👊🍀
The site for the final should go to the higher seed in Gia ranking or be played in a neutral stadium.
Well said Mina!
Italy only have themselves to blame for this mess and need to redeem themselves in every way possible. A win against Portugal will prove valuable….as long as Jorginho doesn’t take anymore penalties, Italy should do ok against a weaker Portuguese side.
Italy & Portugal are as bad as each other and have no one to blame but themselves, we lost it in the play offs against weak minnow teams, so why do we think we can even beat Nth Mac??????
hate to keep harping on specific moment/s or player but it all goes back to Jorginho. Italy had 3 chances to redeem themselves: 2 v Swiss and 1 v N.I. specially when we only a goal v Sweden last time at home and failed. now i have to admit im not too confident considering its 2 one off games…potentially against CR7s Portugal.
even more so no ones mentioning Macedonia … they could pull an upset.
Guys lets strike against fifa and uefa they are making us play away to Portugal which isnt fair. Is not fair on the draws.
There’s always 1 and tonight that 1 is me!
Italy
Donnarumma
Bonucci, Chiellini, Bastoni
Calabria Spinazzola
(Di Lorenzo)
Pellegrini, Tonali, Verratti
(Barella)(Locatelli)(Zaniolo)
Chiesa(Kean)
Immobile
Obviously it depend’s on the form of the players + if + who they get in the final, if they do get there? But that looks a bit more solid + may give them the strong platform to break with numbers again. For anyone foaming at the mouth, I’m not a professional football coach but it’s fun to make teams up sometimes! Anyway, there’s more security at the back + with 2 very good, ball-playing, center-backs to start off moves with too. Pellegrini has awesome movement + is good at getting in to scoring positions when breaking from the midfield. I’ve been watching Tonali for Milan + he’s been very effective even in the defensive phase + would allow for Pellegrini + even Locatelli or Zaniolo to come on + break from the midfield to support his club teammate Spinazzola as well. But Italy could have any number of 3 out of 6 or 9 in the midfield, it’s that stacked. Jorginho could be useful by then too. I’m not blaming him for anything! Then there’s a bit more support for Ciro so he shouldn’t be as isolated up top. Keane + Immobile have looked effective + have linked-up well in the few opportunities they’ve had to play together, but Chiesa would probably be the fave to start of course, in a free-ish role, closer to goal + him + Ciro could press from the front, as they do that well at times!
Awkward, very awkward. The one game you wouldn’t want – Portugal away – and Italy got it. (if all goes according to plan of course)
There is only one way to look at it; the WC starts a little earlier for Italy.
I am not too sure why mostly picked Italy x Portugal! N. Macedonia & Turkey can / capable of upsets. Having said that, Italy must treat each game as dead or alive, focus on the pitch needed the most and hopefully there will be the striker to make the difference.