Italy have failed to find the net after 17 consecutive matches on target, only the third time they have fired blanks under Roberto Mancini, during a 0-0 draw with Switzerland.
Jorginho had the opportunity to get the winner, but saw his penalty saved by Yann Sommer in the second half of tonight’s World Cup qualifier at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.
The Azzurri had scored in 17 consecutive games, going back to the 0-0 Nations League draw away to Poland on October 11, 2020.
In fact, this represents only the third time under Mancini’s reign that Italy have failed to find the back of the net.
The other was also a 0-0 Nations League draw, this one at home against Portugal on November 17, 2018.
In his 42 games in charge of Italy, Mancini has overseen 30 wins, 10 draws and just two defeats.
The Azzurri scored 100 goals and conceded only 23, but above all have set a new world record by going 36 games unbeaten.
Better performance from Italy tonight. They played with better intensity and purpose compared to to the previous game. They looked more dangerous going forward and they looked more likely to score. Only the finishing touch deserted the tonight. They needed to finish their opportunities and put the ball in the back of the net.
I was looking forward to this match after we won the Euros knowing it would erase Brazil and Spain’s names from the record books and put ours there instead. However this result puts a damper on things as it severely jeopardizes our chances of winning group. Remember the playoff with Sweden……..
Mario Switzerland will be trashed in Italy
Francis I wouldn’t be so sure of the Swiss were missing 3-4 of their best players tonight . Italy really should have won considering the Swiss were depleted . I could see another tie on next game because Italy will be under a lot of pressure to win as Swiss will have won those 2 games in hand . Another playoff seems like it’s going to be a reality
Hi Guys, We look under done,, Not enough games played.
I blame the Italian Frederation for starting serie a late.
Or the other league started before us.
That missed penno could come back to haunt the Azzurri. I am confident they will make it and they were by far the better team tonight but the lack of a top goalscorer at this level continues to create problems.
1) Now on Bonucci shud take penalties
2) Need a tall strong targetman in the box
3) Pellegrini is in excellent form, can score frm any angle, left-foot, right- foot, long rangers, free-kicks, penalties .. shud play. Against the Switz he should’ve been subbed in instead of Verratti!
4) Against strong opposition, Chiesa must start (was a blunder not to start him today, he would’ve buried one or 2 of those Locatelli’s superb goal scoring passes) so should Locatelli (if he’d started against Empoli or brought on earlier Juve wouldn’t have lost!!)
5) Scamacca or Kean in place of Immobile
6) Zaniolo not yet in peak form .. but shud play 15-20 mins regularly
7) Calabria, Bastoni and Mancini shud get game time to be prepared
If we’d taken full pts this Qualifying round would’ve been really excited for the NL clash of the Top teams n see it as a prep for Qatar plus chance of winning another Trophy … but with qualification in the balance it comes at a wrong time!!
Thought we’ll go through with the WC Qualifiers this time round without any tension .. just relax and enjoy .. but no .. we have to suffer .. we are Azzurri supporters na 🙄❗❗ Anyways Forza Azzurri always 🇮🇹👍👊💙🍀
Italian teams, whether national or club are always underdone in September. It was important not to lose today so no need to panic. Can’t help thinking that Mancini just has to play all three of Immobile, Insigne and Verratti because they are such great mates and not playing them might upset the locker room – only kidding, but it’s still disappointing that Locatelli is not a regular starter because if fit, Mancini will always play Verratti who slows the play down, is not as dynamic or incisive as Loca and is too similar to Jorginho. Zaniolo or Kean should have come on earlier for Immobile, Pellegrini should have come on before Verratti and in what planet or stratosphere is Berardi getting a game before Chiesa?
A disappointing start to to the new season. Unfortunately Jorginho‘s ‘tap in’ style of penalty has been found out and it’s time to change the penalty taker.
Article and all comments spot on. Time to stop blindly putting in Immobile. He is limited to scoring vs small teams for Lazio. This penalty taking style should be banned. Anyway, Italy still good and qualification far from over.
Zaniolo or Sensi should replace Barella, he is the weakest link in the team. He is good player but we need more creative player in his position.