The Italy squad arrived in Palermo for tomorrow’s World Cup play-off against North Macedonia and this venue was chosen because it has good memories for the Azzurri and coach Roberto Mancini.
The semi-final kicks off on Thursday at 19.45 GMT at the Stadio Barbera.
This is the 16th time Italy have played in Palermo, so far emerging with 13 wins, one draw and one defeat.
They have won the last six in a row here, most recently beating Armenia 9-1 on November 18, 2019 in the concluding EURO 2020 qualifier.
The only defeat in Sicily was 2-1 to Croatia in November 1994, Davor Suker’s brace deciding that European Championship qualifier.
Italy were also held to a 2-2 friendly draw here by the Czech Republic in February 2004.
Even coach Mancini has good memories of this stadium, as he scored two goals in just over 60 seconds in a World Cup qualifier against Malta in March 1993, helping the Nazionale to an eventual 6-1 victory.
The #Azzurri have arrived in the Sicilian capital 📍#WCQ #ITAMKD #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/2jN12mr2Ee
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 23, 2022