NATIONS - Italy, one match away from returning to World Cup

11.11.2021 22:10 of  D.B. TransferMarketWeb   see readings
NATIONS - Italy, one match away from returning to World Cup
TRANSFERmarketWEB.com
© photo Matteo Gribaudi/Image Sport

Italy's World Cup prospects are still up in the air ahead of Friday's crucial match against Switzerland, as the newly-crowned European champions look to put behind them the ghosts of their catastrophic 2018 qualifying campaign.

Italy leads Group C on goal difference over Switzerland, with the two teams battling for a single assured spot in next year's tournament in Qatar.

Roberto Mancini took charge of the Azzurri in the tumultuous aftermath of their failure to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Russia, the first time they had missed out on a spot in six decades, and he understands the importance of qualifying this time.

"It's important that we play well because after the Euro it's the biggest match of the year. We know we have to win," said Mancini.