Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden are among the possible opponents for Italy if the Azzurri fail to qualify for the World Cup by winning their group.
Roberto Mancini’s side are the Group C leaders, on even points with Switzerland, but with a better goal difference: 11 to 9.
They visit Northern Ireland tonight, while the Swiss host Bulgaria. After their 1-1 draw against Switzerland on Friday, the Azzurri’s fate is not entirely in their hands.
A win against Northern Ireland may not be enough tonight as they’d need to have a better goal difference than Switzerland after tonight’s games to secure their spot for Qatar 2022.
Roberto Mancini is confident the Azzurri will eventually qualify for the World, but what if they don’t?
Only the group winners qualify for Qatar 2022, while the runners-ups must go through the play-offs.
So, who are Italy’s potential opponents?
The best six runners-up are the top seeds and the draw will take place in Zurich on November 26.
The European play-offs will feature 12 teams, including the ten group runners-up from the first stage of qualifying. The remaining two spots will be taken by the best two 2020-21 UEFA Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two in the first round of the Qatar 2022 preliminaries.
The nations will then be split into three four-team paths, with semi-finals and a final ensuing in each. The three triumphant sides will join the ten group winners from the first round in representing Europe at the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden are among the most dangerous potential opponents for Italy. They’re both runners-up in their group, so they will surely be in the World Cup play-offs.
Finland or Ukraine could be runners-up in Group D, with France already qualified.
Belgium have booked their place in Group E from where Italy could pick Wales or the Czech Republic. Both teams will take part in the play-offs as they were among the best sides in the Nations League.
The Netherlands, Turkey or Norway are all in the race to win Group G, while Russia are the runner-up of Group H and so are North Macedonia in Group J and Scotland in Group F. Austria will take part in the World Cup play-offs as one of the best teams in the Nations League.
England will likely win Group I ahead of Poland as the Three Lions face San Marino tomorrow, while Poland host Hungary. Even if England lose to San Marino, they have a big advantage on Poland in terms of goal difference: +26 vs +20.
I would like Italy to face Portugal
See what we are made of post Euro
Cause Italy has been doing plenty of trash talking on Ronaldo.
If Italy don’t go through as group winner, and the Netherlands go through as group winner, the top three-ranked teams left are in order, Italy, Portugal, and Sweden. The Netherlands would supplant Sweden if they go through second, based on the most recent rankings. There are three playoff paths made up each of 4 teams, 6 seeded, 6 unseeded. Presuming FIFA does things as usual, the three top-ranked teams should not end up on the same playoff path. The remaining teams would be ranked and grouped, seeded and unseeded, pots 1 or 2. So, Game 1 is at home and against a team like North Macedonia, Scotland, Finland, or Austria, a team that game Italy a lot of trouble this past summer. It is game 2 that is really scary, because it is a one-off that will likely be against a Wales, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Czech Republic, or the dreaded Sweden. And the draw for home field is RANDOM. Yep. Italy could be travelling to Russia or Ukraine in March to play one game to qualify. Unless my reading of the format is incorrect… In short, bloody well get through today and avoid the playoffs at at cost!!!
I embrace the chance to knock Ronaldo of Sweden out of the World Cup – revenge is served.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news. Seedings will not go by FIFA rankings. It is by how many points we got in the group stage compared to others. Which means a good possibility we wont even be seeded and every chance in playing Portugal or Sweden. Lets hope and pray for the best today as my bowels will not hold either in a play off again. I dont think I can take that again.
I cannot believe we could get ourselves into this position. This is the trend that has always occurred with past Italian sides and they should have stormed this group.
This will hopefully jolt Mancini into reviewing his approach both in game formation and playing personnel. Going forward, he needs to play players in form, not just because of their name. He needs to realise that:
– Jorginho and Verratti are too similar and should not play together
– Jorginho should not take another penalty – must go to Bonucci or Berardi
– Di Lorenzo is a poor defender and gives little going forward – needs to be replaced by Calabria
– Bastoni must always play ahead of Acerbi – always!
– Sometimes a formation change is warranted from the 4-3-3 that has become predictable. For example, against a team like Spain it has to be 3-5-2
– Insigne and Immobile should not be untouchable in the forward line. Switch Chiesa to the left if necessary and play Berardi on the right. Kean, Scamacca, Raspadori should be given more playing time ahead of Immobile or play a false 9.
– The midfield needs players like Barella, Pellegrini, Locatelli and Pessina as they all can defend, but are also creative and score goals – which is more than what can be said about Jorginho and Verratti (Verratti is always a risk as he picks up too many yellow cards)
@ Frankie
– Bastoni must always play ahead of Acerbi – always!
Exactly!!! Completely agree with you!!