Italy’s World Cup play-off against North Macedonia will be played at the Stadio Barbera in Palermo on March 24, 2022.
The decision was announced by the Italian Federation (FIGC) this evening.
The winners of that fixture will then face either Portugal or Turkey in the final play-off game.
Italy needed this phase to reach the tournament in Qatar in November and December 2022 after finishing second in their group behind Switzerland.
“The decision to play in Palermo was made along with Roberto Mancini, to avoid ulterior distractions linked to the Euros,” said FIGC President Gabriele Gravina.
There was seemingly too much pressure playing at the Stadio Olimpico, which hosted Italy’s group games at UEFA EURO 2020.
“We want to turn over a new leaf and what we built in 2021 mustn’t be a weight on the team. We have to concentrate on the future.
“We want to see passion from the fans in Palermo, to be welcomed and cuddled. The Italian fans want to push the team towards qualification.”
Its north macedonia and not macedonia alone FI. You are changing the name of the country repeatedly
Good choice. Hopefully, this will continue to help unify around the Nazionale.
I posted last month that Palermonwoukd make for a good venue to face N. Macedonia in Italy.
With all due respect to North Macedonia, Italy should avoid any yellow cards to the 8 players on a yellow so they have best possible team for Portugal
Guys it won’t be easy against Macedonia also , It seems we are already dreaming of meeting Portugal , Same goes for CR7 and Co as they are facing tricky Turkish side who did really very well in Group Qualification
Needed to distance themselves from the European Championships last September. 5 WC Qualfiers too late !
I didn’t like what I was seeing at the time and posted about it.
– Putting the EC badge on their kit.
– Filming that commercial for Poste Italiane during the September International Break. If sponsors intefer with valuable prepatory period then this is a problem.
– Media and the Vivo Azzurro website always asking questions about the EC when focus should have been on the next cycle.
– All those banners about being European Champions should have never been up and around the players. The most troubling thing, I found.
– The visit to the Museo di Calcio.
The only one I give a Pass to was bringing the trophy to the children’s hospital.
I understand that an International career should be a fun experience but they needed to reminisce about the summer of 2021 in retirement or on a Group Chat. Not now. Resting on their laurels, getting stale and predictable in lineup and formazione, being drawn against Switzerland who were arguably the worst possible team to fish out of Pot 2 and this is the result.
Palermo is a good pick. Assuming we beat North Macedonia, I very much doubt they will travel back to Coverciano for a day or two. Will likely just stay there before going to Istanbul or Lisbon.
FORZA AZZURRI
Also, late March. Will get better outdoor Training done in Palermo as opposed to Florence.
CONCACAF and CONMEBOL have World Cup Qualifiers in January. Mancio needs to set up a Training Camp at this time.
Bring the fringe players in like Joao Pedro, Balo, Politano, DiMarco, see how they interact with the group.
And I also second the motion to correct the article. North Macedonia, not Macedonia. Lets put some respect to these people.
gud choice
That’s not good if you cannot play important games at a major stadium!
I don’t see it that way.
The most important line for me is: “We want to turn over a new leaf and what we built in 2021 mustn’t be a weight on the team. We have to concentrate on the future.”
Time to forget about the European Championships. Staying in the same retreat, hotel, training ground is like they are trying to continue on something that ended after the parade. You cannot do that. Mancini has recognized that it isn’t working.
Palermo is perfect. You will have North Macedonian players come in to a ground that isn’t nearly well known around the football world, but yet known to the Italy players.
They got it right.
From what I’m hearing Portugal too want to get away from playing at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon as they are becoming superstitious about the important Losses they are getting there.
There is a Documentary on our Euro victory on Netflix if anyone is interested. It’s called, “Azzurri, Road to Wembley”.
Something to distract me from the stress of the March play-off lol.
@Brandon…
Perfect citation. That was precisely why playing in Palermo is a great choice for the Nazionale.