FIGC President Gabriele Gravina admits although he would like to pause Serie A for Italy’s World Cup play-offs in March, it is unlikely due to the ‘packed fixture list.’
The Azzurri will have to get past North Macedonia and then either Portugal or Turkey if they are to participate in the tournament in November and December 2022 in Qatar.
Roberto Mancini was given three days to train with 38 players at Coverciano this week, but will be rushed straight into preparation for the play-offs.
There have been growing calls to postpone one of the Serie A rounds in order to give Mancini more time to get ready for these huge games.
“My response to the questions about pausing the Serie A season for Italy is yes, but we also have to look at the reality of the situation, well aware that there is a packed fixture list and yet more games that need to be replayed after they were postponed due to COVID,” Gravina told RAI Sport.
“I hope that by that date we can find some alternative solutions to give the Nazionale the best possible chance of preparing for a few extra days.”
Gravina was also asked about the decision to call in Mario Balotelli for the first time in over two years.
“Mario has always been an extraordinary player from the Under-21 side. I have great faith in Mancini and it was a shared decision to bring Balotelli in. I don’t know if he’ll be in the squad for the play-offs or not, but he is a decisive player.
“We have two very important matches coming up in March and we cannot fail.”
.@FIGC, le parole del presidente #Gravinahttps://t.co/OheXxixdHq
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) January 29, 2022
The offset it that most teams at the World Cup will have European-based players and other leagues won’t shut down early for an appropriate prepatory period either.
This Cup will be won by the team that hits the ground running, in good form, healthy, with the usual element of luck.
@Brandon…
1. Correct.
2. Even more reason for Seria A to agree to a postponement of at least 1 round of matches as a way to offer the Nazionale an advantage entering into the playoffs.
Why do my comments keep being deleted. I only said with all the pressure on clubs and players and the National team, Serie A should be cut back to 16 teams. Avoid the useless games. I guess you can’t comment on UEFA or Gravina on FI.
They dug their own hole.
Gone backover since becoming European champion. Italia blew it against Switzerland who are an average side with the greatest of respect. Now they have a second chance and if they fail against Portugal/Turkey or even Macedonia then they don’t deserve it. How can Mancini justify calling up the likes of Barwuah, Joao Pedro? Not good enough, simple.
International football is in poor condition in relation to the standards compared to previous generations. No team really stands out. If England can reach a semi-final then a final ingredients are seriously missing.
As for Gravina, this is the nutjob who wants a playoff system in Serie A to decide the Scudetto by all reports.
Imagine that being realized?
HE IS A TRADITION KILLER, AN ENEMY OF FOOTBALL PARTICULARLY IN THE LONG TERM BELIEVE ME
International football is much more prestigious than any domestic competition. No comparison!
Where there’s a will there’s a way is always my motto!
Cancel the Serie A fixtures. I cannot believe that the Italian FA are even considering not giving Mancini more time for these hugely important games!
Unbelievable!
If African players were allowed to leave for their national team during the cup why can’t Italian players leave for a week or so?
Agreed.
2 Weeks instead of 1 will make all the difference.
Unlike those players that missed anywhere from 2 Weeks – 4 Weeks for AFCON, 1 Week is nothing, really.