Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough admits he wishes Jorginho had scored the last-gasp penalty against Switzerland, because Italy now ‘come here to win.’
The final World Cup qualifier of the group kicks off in Belfast on Monday at 19.45 GMT.
The 1-1 draw with Switzerland means that Italy must win and maintain their goal difference advantage to secure top spot and automatic qualification for the tournament in Qatar 2022.
“I would have preferred that to have gone in,” Baraclough said of Jorginho’s penalty that was blazed over the bar in stoppages.
“They made one or two changes, but they’ve got to come here now and win the game to ensure qualification.
“We know what a battle it will be. We know what’s against us. We’ve now got to get ourselves rested and ready.”
Northern Ireland beat Lithuania at Windsor Park 1-0 on Friday and that was their first competitive home victory in two-and-a-half years.
It was decided by an own goal, but Paddy McNair remains in doubt for the Italy clash after a groin and hamstring problem.
Northern Ireland are now third in the group, but have no chance of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.
Enough about this bgame. I’m confident we will destroy Northern Ireland Monday. And to be honest if we don’t with all what’s at stake we don’t deserve to go to the WC end of story.
If Italy doesn’t qualify for the WC it will because of Mancini. Period
Having said that he was the reason IMO that we won the European Cup
If they do not win it is because of some poor play. 3 missed penalty kicks in a row by jorginho. I love his loyalty to italy but he should have stepped aside and let some one else shoot. To much pressure. Also mancini needs to let go of immobile. I know he has not played lately, but he is awful
Fabrizio is right enough talk with these guys just go out and play with that aggressiveness from
Euro and see what happens . That what been lacking to is that crazy aggressive press which they used to smash Swiss and Turkey at euro is gone . If they don’t do it then they don’t deserve to be there . Sorry but 1-1 at home to Bulgaria is pathetic .
It’s on the players, not Mancini.
It is also on my toilet as well.
this guys taking like the game should mean anything to NI. They are out of contention and never had a chance… they should kick back with some pints and not get in Italy’s way