Relegated to three points behind Norway and with a lower goal difference of 16 points with two days remaining, it will take either a poor Norwegian performance against Estonia or a big victory against Norway for Italy to move ahead.
A scenario difficult to imagine, but which will not eliminate Italy with potential dams. For his part, Italian coach Gennaro Gattuso does not envisage elimination in the play-offs. For him, the Squadra Azzurra will make its comeback in the World Cup after missing the two previous editions. The former AC Milan player also dropped a bomb in the event of non-qualification for the World Cup.
“ If we don't qualify for the World Cup, I will move and live far from Italy. I'm already a little far away, I'll go even further”he said.
Erasing the disillusionments of 2018 and 2022
Italy is under pressure. Second in its group, the Nazionale will, unless there is a big surprise, have to go through the play-offs to be able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A scenario which could bring back bad memories for the quadruple world champion who failed at this stage in 2018 and 2022.
This time, Gennaro Gattuso's men intend to change the situation by finally returning to the most beautiful competition on the planet. To do this, the Italians will have to evolve at their best level over the coming months.
