Northern Ireland coach Ian Baraclough says Italy can win Euro 2020 and reveals he often went to the stadium to watch Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester.
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
“We dream of qualifying for the World Cup. We have talented and ambitious players,” Baraclough told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"It is an enormous privilege [to be the Northern Ireland coach]. I have already worked for three years with the Under 21 team, and it was a significant experience.
Northern Ireland coach Ian Baraclough says Italy can win Euro 2020 and reveals he often went to the stadium to watch Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester.
Italy will face Northern Ireland in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers on Thursday.
“We dream of qualifying for the World Cup. We have talented and ambitious players,” Baraclough told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"It is an enormous privilege [to be the Northern Ireland coach]. I have already worked for three years with the Under 21 team, and it was a significant experience.
“Now it’s about building a new group, based on a mix of young and experienced players,” he added.
“Northern Ireland is a small country, but with many talented players, and our people have no fear of complex challenges.
“I’ve always liked Italian football,” the coach continued.
“I followed the games on TV in England back in the 90s.
“Roberto Mancini is doing an excellent job, and Italy can win Euro 2020. If they qualify for the World Cup, the Azzurri will be among the contenders to lift the cup.”
Baraclough, an English coach from Leicester, is a fan of Italy and Italian football.
“I remember Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli and his celebration against Germany in the 1982 World Cup Final. Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan. Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Roberto Baggio.
“Then the extraordinary Leicester City side coached by Claudio Ranieri. I am a Leicester City fan, and that season, I often went to the stadium.
“Rome is my favourite foreign city. I went to Italy in 2019 to follow the U21 European Championship.”