It was supposed to be the most awaited day of the year but, unfortunately, it's just the opposite. The World Cup of Russia opens its doors and Italy is not there, with the logical consequence that everything seems damned distant and not only for the kilometers that separate Rome from Moscow. We have taken note of this for some time, to be precise since that November 13th in which we were unable to score a single goal against Sweden, but it is one thing to know what will happen, another is to hit your nose.
Thirty-two countries are preparing to experience the so-called "magic nights", for us, however, it will be just a great football show to watch in front of the TV. Because that remains regardless of our presence and promises, once the bitter pill has been swallowed, to revive us for the month to come.
We start today with Russia – Saudi Arabia (Moscow, 17 pm), under the eyes of billions of people and Vladimir Putin, the man who most of all wanted the World Cup in his home, as demonstrated by the 12 billion invested in infrastructure. The Tsar expects perfect organization and a show up to par, even though he too knows that his Russia certainly cannot aspire to final victory.
For that there are Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France, theoretically there Spain, even if the latest vicissitudes put a big question mark on Ramos and his companions. Yes, because la Roja has seen fit to enliven the eve with Lopetegui's sacking, guilty of having signed with Real Madrid without notifying his federation. A setback on which Luis Rubiales was unable to gloss over and so Spain will face Portugal with Hierro as coach, ironically the white flag.
Only the field will tell us if the fact, sensational at these levels, will have consequences or not, in any case the Red Furies are still among the favourites, strong in champions such as Silva, Isco, Diego Costa and Iniesta, the latter with the titles end of a splendid and successful career. For the rest, as previously mentioned, there are the usual big names who look askance at each other.
Il Brazil of Neymar wants to redeem the fool of 4 years ago (the 1-7 draw against Germany was memorable) and, on paper, he has everything to do it: Tite's green and gold have champions in attack (in addition to O'Ney there are Gabriel Jesus and Coutinho) but also in midfield (Paulinho and Casemiro) and in defense (Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo, Alisson) and set off to win that cup that has been missing since 2002.
After the Seleçao there is definitely the Germany reigning champion, which Loew built with a mix of the usual suspects (Muller, Ozil, Khedira, Neuer, Hummels, Boateng) and some very interesting young players like Draxler and, above all, the bomber Timo Werner.
With Spain (of which we have already spoken abundantly) the podium of the favorites ends, after which there are the outsiders: the France of Deschamps (Griezmann, Mbappé and Pogba the stars) and theArgentina of Sampaoli (with Messi, Aguero and Di Maria on the cover).
Other interesting national teams? L'England by Harry Kane, the Portugal by Cristiano Ronaldo, theUruguay by Cavani and Suarez, the Belgium of Hazard, the Croatia by Modric.
Possible surprises (very difficult to predict, otherwise they would not be such) could be there Serbia by Milinkovic-Savic and the Senegal by Koulibaly, who according to Mourinho will even win the group with Poland, Japan and Colombia.
Sympathy teams? We'll see, but in the meantime let's register the candidacies of Iceland, Costa Rica e Panama, definitely the most accredited. A beautiful circus of champions and matches that will keep us company until July 15, the day of the final in Moscow: 31 days to be experienced, even if only as neutral spectators. Hopefully something like this never happens again.
