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.”