Tutto in una notte. La National di Luciano Spalletti you play against theUkraine the pass for direct qualification to the European 2024, where he would arrive as the reigning champion. The appointment is at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, chosen as a neutral venue for security reasons given the war raging in Ukraine.
The Azzurri have known for a month that tomorrow's direct clash would be decisive, and since Friday evening they have also known that a draw will be enough to secure the pass. Thanks to convincing victory over Northern Macedonia, a result that allows Italy to count on two results out of three. In fact, with equal points, the Azzurri would be second in the group thanks to the victory over the Ukrainians achieved last September 12 in Milan, a 2-1 certified by Frattesi's brace and Yarmolenko's goal.
"We know what we are playing for, many want to scare us by reminding us of the importance and the goal of the match, but the motivations always go beyond that. We can win and this must cancel out any fear", said coach Spalletti on the eve of the match. “It is above all in the difficulties that these players have shown us the great desire and determination to wear the blue shirt”, he added.
Italy would just have to repeat tomorrow night what they did in the 9 previous matches against Ukraine, which they are undefeated with 7 wins and 2 draws. But it won't be easy because the national team led by Serhij Rebrov is a tough opponent, with players of the caliber of Zinchenko and Mudryk and that at home - so to speak - has never lost.
"In our desire to attack and press we must never lose order and balance. They have the attack as their strongest department, they could create problems for us by reversing the action. When there is the possibility and the right distances we can press them, if the distances get longer we will have to give space and drop back but without leaving spaces that then become difficult to reoccupy with retreats and recompositions".
"The importance of the match says that we have to go beyond what is our possibility, we want to make Italians fall in love and this is the right moment. It is the right match to make the leap in level that can then allow us to work with more tranquility", continued Spalletti.
“The attitude must be to play the game as we talked and as we trained, not only this week, but from the first time we met with all our champions”, reiterated the coach. This morning the Azzurri completed their training at the Coverciano headquarters before leaving for Germany.
"The boys are fine, I have them all available and I'm spoiled for choice. I have quality everywhere and important potential. We go to Germany with the certainty that it's a match in which we can get a result", said Spalletti. Compared to the victory at the Olimpico against North Macedonia, Di Lorenzo's return to the right in defense in place of Darmian is certain.
The other changes should be the addition of Frattesi in place of Bonaventura in midfield, while in attack Scamacca could be preferred to Raspadori in the role of centre forward with the Napoli striker who could also move up to the wing in place of Berardi.
“When you prepare for a match you do it knowing you have 5 substitutions. Having a strong and physical striker and a strong and technical striker, you try to make them both work. You try to have them in relation to the team despite their different characteristics”, said the coach about the ballot in attack. Finally, we are moving towards a possible confirmation of Jorginho as director, even if he will not be the one to kick a possible penalty. “We also have other penalty takers, perhaps we would put him in difficulty by sending him back to the spot as I did for fun in the press conference the other day. We are also evaluating other situations”, concluded Spalletti.
Article published on November 19, 2023 - 19:01
