- eighths in the viewfinder. L'Italy is already faced with the first objective, i.e. qualification for the next round with one game to spare: mathematician in case of victory with Switzerland (21pm), even earlier if Wales lose or draw against Turkey (18pm). Important scenario, made possible by the excellent debut last Friday, when the Azzurri enchanted the Olimpico with a 3-0 without history, but achievable only by beating Petkovic's Swiss, who in turn were forced to snatch at least one point in order not to risk early elimination.
Trust is great and it could not be otherwise: i 28 helpful results collected by Mancini, moreover, they have not been seen since the time of Vittorio Pozzo. But woe to anyone getting caught up in excessive euphoria because basically, as all the members of the group have repeated, nothing really important has been done yet. “There is always tension – he confirmed the blue coach – it is an important and difficult match, we respect Switzerland which is a very strong national team which, historically, has always put us in difficulty. It is among the top of the rankings, has good and experienced players and a coach who knows our football: we will need a great game."
Il Mancio probably also wants to act a bit as a firefighter, well aware of how blurred the line between praise and criticism is, but in his heart he knows well how Italy, especially the one seen on Friday, can easily conquer the goal round of XNUMX with one round to spare. The paradox is that first qualifying, just like in 2016, it could force us down a more complicated path that if we finished second, in the light of a scoreboard which, surprises permitting, would put obstacles in our way Belgium e France.
“If we want to play at Wembley on July 11th we have to do it also in the round of XNUMX – he glossed over Mancini (in case of second place, however, eighth would be in Amsterdam, ed) – I'm confident because I think I have an excellent team that can still improve, but we have to do our best”. In short, no calculations, also because this national team doesn't really seem interested in doing them, totally absorbed by a group concept that is stronger than ever. “This Italy is the most team team of all those I have ever experienced – he reiterated Bonucci – Over the years there have been many players who have been part of it and there has never been a moment when something has gone wrong. When there are newcomers who join a group like this, it means that it is cohesive, it is no coincidence that these results arrive".
This strength is also perceived from the outside, it is no coincidence that the bookmakers have considerably lowered the odds on winning the European Championship (from 14 to 7) and even the opponents are realizing how dangerous the blue team can be. “They are among the favorites – the thought of petkovic, returning to Rome after his spell in Lazio – We will have to curb their enthusiasm, face them with respect but without fear: we will have to be better for the entire 95 minutes, give our best, run a lot, be strong in tackles, only in this way will we be able to do it” .
The word therefore passes to the field, with Italy which will confirm 10/11 of the anti-Turkey formation, with the exception of the injured Florenzi: Mancini's only doubt concerns his replacement on the right, with the Atalanta player silly slightly ahead of the Neapolitan By Lorenzo, at least according to the last training session yesterday. The blue 4-3-3 should see it like this Donnarumma in goal, silly, Bonucci, Chiellini e Spinazzola in defence, Stretcher, Jorginho e Locatelli in midfield, Berardi, Property e Insigne in attack.
Petkovic's Switzerland will respond with a 3-4-1-2 formation that will see Sommer between the posts, Elvedi, Schar and Akanji in the back, Mbabu, Xhaka, Freuler and Rodriguez in the midfield, Shaqiri in the trocar behind the offensive duo made up of Embolo and Seferovic. The referee of the challenge will be the Russian Karasev, while in the stands of the Olimpico there will be the "usual" 16 spectators, this time, unlike on Friday where the factions were roughly equal, mostly Italians. To push the Azzurri towards an early and welcome qualification like never before.
