I see how Macedonia is being underestimated and Italians think they will play Portugal for the play-off spot. Everyone says how one of Italy or Portugal will not qualify, but might turn out both to miss out.
I wanted Scotland and Wales in pool A that seemed the easiest and we play well with those countries, but Italy is not a bad opponent for Macedonia. They were lucky in Skopje how they managed to turn the game from being in the brink of defeat and even Mouflon helped them save crucial balls. But in the game in Turin that was a sort of must win for Italy, they tied 1-1 and eventually Italy got eliminated in the play-offs. In those last minutes in Turin, the Italians were taking free throws kilometers away from where the out-line was.
They are the reigning European champions, but just like after 2006, they seem fed up, saturated and worn out. Also, they have a tendency to struggle against Ex-yu teams (they have never beaten Croatia or Serbia, have lost to Slovenia believe it or not and even lost once to Bosnia). We've sort of done well playing away and if we defeated Germany 1-2, I don't see why that cannot be repeated against Italy. I think we will go full guns blazing and even tire them. The only one that I fear from their team is their coach Manchini - the sole reason they became champions.
Portugal tho is the strongest one from the bunch, but the way Serbia outplayed them should not make them an early winner too. Ronaldo will do his very best to play in Qatar. I think Turkey has also nothing to lose (plus they have a new coach) and I wouldn't mind seeing a final between Turkey and Macedonia.
Hello Aletem, I speak for the Italians, your hypothesis about North Macedonia and Turkey undervalued are wrong. Indeed, it seems to me the way for fans of other national teams to create an atmosphere where Davide has to face Goliath.
Here are some Italian articles
Dalla Macedonia del Nord a Portogallo e Turchia: tutto sulle rivali dell'Italia verso i Mondiali
www.calciomercato.com
Sorteggio playoff qualificazioni Mondiali LIVE alle 17: le avversarie dell'Italia
www.calciomercato.com
Il suo profilo si staglia già all`orizzonte. Cristiano Ronaldo, il suo numero 7 e la valanga di gol che si porta dietro. L`Italia per andare ai Mondiali dovrà.
www.calciomercato.com
Le urne di Zurigo non sono clementi con gli azzurri: bene la semifinale del 24 marzo contro i macedoni, ma la finale secca contro Portogallo o Turchia si giocherà in trasferta
www.gazzetta.it
In every article and comments, everyone sees the playoff draw as "a bad luck" and talks about a "Ronaldo nightmare" and a "after Pandev" North Macedonia that is a solid team that was able to beat Germany. In addition, many complain that the playoff draws, even though we played poorly were the architects of our destiny, are unfair. The tennis format is fine but the ranking value must be taken into account (which happens both in the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, National Cups, European Championships and World Championships). Furthermore, some Italians speculate that the winner of the European championships should have access to the world championship. Many who will read these words will laugh but ... Austria and the Czech Republic have been allowed to qualify for the playoffs thanks to the Nations League and here it is not possible? Can the winner of the Europa League the following year go directly to the Champions League and here it is not possible? What we do know is that the Qatar 2022 World Cup will see the absence of either the European champions, Cristiano Ronaldo or both (the playoffs are always an unknown factor). After all these words, there are many Italians who say that "If we don't win the playoff it is right to stay at home because there are stronger teams in the World Cup", other Italians say "We must have respect for everyone but we are the champions of Europe. . It is the others who must fear us", still others say, as if to dispel the anguish, a truth "North Macedonia, Turkey and Portugal together do not even have one of our four world championships" but to these people others have answered that "It is not the palmares that take the field but the players". Do you see a climate where Italians are calm? Compared to the 2018 playoffs, our national team has improved a lot and I see much more courage and desire not to lose. We have many more chances than 4 years ago, where we thought that the name Italy and a little luck would save us.
I forgot one thing about injustice, it is not normal that technically superior European teams have to bring fewer teams. It is right to give every team in the world the opportunity to go to the world championship to make the event different but ... the number of accesses to the world championship of the other federations, based on the poor results obtained, is too high. Injustices aside, the last world championships have always been dominated by a European national team.
Regarding the lack of talent of Italian players, I don't speak because I'm Italian, you're wrong. The Italian national team has had its champions but they have never been as resplendent as the golden generations of other national teams. Brazil has always believed in talent, Germany in organization and athleticism while we Italians in team play, in defense and throwing our hearts over obstacles. I can tell you that we now have many great players to rely on.
If Italy has suffered in its group (without ever losing!), It is not only Jorginho's fault and the lack of clarity after the European victory but also because in September - November, you who love to read the statistics, Italy has always sucked. Our players always suffer from the start of the Italian league where they come out of shape and the clubs are not very willing to give them better players. We also suffered many injuries that upset Mancini's strategies! Go read the list of our injured.
Near the end, the statistics that see Italy suffering against the Slavic national teams are similar to Italy's palmares. They are the players who take the field and, sooner or later, the statistics are subverted. If it were as you say, Germany would not have had to beat us on penalties in 2016.
In conclusion, then in the next message I will give you another (quick) news, you cannot think that Italy must have infinite fear of North Macedonia. Football traditions, with all due respect, are not comparable. If Canada played Djibuoti would they consider it an insurmountable obstacle? You would have respect but you would know that you are stronger on paper.
