World Cup, Switzerland on the horizon Mancini: “A great match”

Italy one step away from the finish line. A victory would open the doors to Qatar 2022 for the Azzurri

the analysis

SENT TO FLORENCE

The championship of the few 0-0 – no one like us in Europe – steps aside with the special effects of the San Siro derby, the braking of Napoli, the new fall of Roma and the Juve blow on the end credits. It’s up to Italy and this time the eve that will take us to the pitch is different, very different from usual. We return to Rome and the Olimpico will go up to 75% of presences: 52 thousand will cheer the Azzurri. And, in Rome, we return to put more than a foot and a half into the next World Cup which for us sounds like a small novelty having skipped one, the last one. We hosts, Switzerland in the role of guest: the first place in the group at 90 ‘from the end of qualifying is up for grabs, a goal not to be missed so as not to be forced into the infernal round of the play-offs at the end of March.

Returning to Rome is a bit like going back to where it all began: there were only 16 thousand spectators in June for the duels with Turkey, Switzerland and Wales, many of which allowed the Covid safety regulations. Three races that opened the doors for us to the knockout phase of the most magical European ever, or better, as magical as that of 1968. Qatar without tension: we will have fun on Friday and, although Italy has historically had some difficulties with Switzerland, we will play a great match “, says coach Roberto Mancini. The different eve was born precisely by reading the journey that led us to the top of Europe: each step was experienced as a small rebirth from the ashes of November 2017, the days of shock for the farewell to the World Cup in Russia. Today the prospect can only be another because expectations have grown and, even if the gratitude and gratitude towards this group of boys and their leader must never fail, close behind Switzerland and prepare for the spring playoff would sound out of tune. Mancini uses the same recipe that was used to get out of trouble: lightness in the head and good play in the feet. «Nothing changes, we will approach the match with the Swiss as always. After all, it is a football match and we may have had a few more worries about preparing for the final against England », says the coach with a smile. The correspondent of the Swiss national television asks him about the secret of an unexpected success, widening the horizon to an Italy that wins where it competes. “It must have been thanks to the vaccine,” jokes Mancio. “It went like this because – he says – at the beginning we were the most affected country and our victory, which came before the others, gave people the opportunity to find a way to smile after very hard months”.

First Switzerland and then the trip to Belfast next Monday, with the hope that the intersection with Northern Ireland should not take on the meaning of a trip to despair. Italy, already without Verratti and the long-term inpatient Spinazzola, sees the Giallorossi Pellegrini and Zaniolo (Cataldi and Pessina in their place) leave the retreat and waits to understand how Barella is doing. Switzerland will appear in the capital without five owners: Embolo, Zuber, Xhaka, Alvedi and Seferovic. «How do I imagine my first World Cup? I hope to tell you on Tuesday »greets Mancio. –

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