They must conquer their fear or suffer humiliation. For Italy, the Macedonians are a team of eleven boogeymen
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 17.11.23. | 12:11
Spalletti's Gli Azzurri seek revenge at Stadio Olimpico
The Italians don't even want to consider the possibility of a European Championship without them, the titleholders. But for a nation that missed two successive World Cup tournaments - nothing can be taken for granted anymore. Especially when North Macedonia stand in their way.
They're about to face the Macedonians, the team which shockingly ended their chances of making the 2022 World Cup by beating them 1-0 in Palermo. The Italians must seek revenge for that humiliating night, overcome the European minnows and then secure a good result when they meet Ukraine on neutral ground in Leverkusen.
Luciano Spalletti's team must display the personality and authority of a four-time world champion while showcasing the humility needed to avoid another slip-up. The opponent's name sure sounds like an alarm bell since that night in March 2022. Even in this qualifying group for the next European Championship, in the reverse fixture, Gli Azzurri could only manage a draw in Skopje, the Macedonian capital. So, that's only one point in two matches against Macedonia. Now they need all three points.
Tonight, they play at home, in the passionate arena of the Olimpico that was once Spalletti's fortress. History serves not to repeat mistakes. It won't be a simple task because they'll have to score at all costs, and scoring hasn't been their strong point lately. Although North Macedonia conceded seven goals against England at Wembley, the former Yugoslavian republic doesn't want to come bearing a white flag. After all, the Italians haven't got Harry Kane to torment them.
Instead, there are Giacomo Raspadori, Gianluca Scamacca and Moise Kean to threaten Stole Dimitrievski's goal. Mateo Retegui and Ciro Immobile are absent, so Spalletti must work his magic with limited resources. The Italian coach said he counts on Juventus' winger Federico Chiesa to carry the team and provide the spark that would ignite the attack. In the midfield, Jorginho, Nicolo Barella and Giacomo Bonaventura have enough paths leading to the goal, but they must also be ready to block Macedonian counterattacks.
Napoli's Macedonian forward Elif Elmas said his team will rely on quick breaks to hurt the hosts.
"We'll surprise Italy with rapid counterattacks and vertical movements."
🚨 Here we go 🚨
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 10, 2023
Luciano Spalletti's squad for the #Azzurri's #EURO2024 qualifying matches against North Macedonia and Ukraine 📋#VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/A5mFCcMIaz
They did so in Skopje. Managing transitions and playing a preventive game will be crucial, mainly because the back line, without Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni, needs additional protection.
The stage is set in Rome, where around 60,000 fans will push Italy in another must-win game. This time, there can be no excuses. The fear and bad memories must be left behind.
EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS
Wednesday
Israel - Switzerland 1-1 (0-1)
/Weissman 88 - Vargas 36/
Thursday
Estonia - Austria 0-2 (0-2)
/Laimer 26, Lienhart 40/
Cyprus - Spain 1-3 (0-3)
/Pileas 75 - Yamal 5, Oyarzabal 22, Joselu 28/
Georgia - Scotland 2-2 (1-0)
/Kvaratskhelia 15, 56 - McTominay 49, Shankland 90+2/
Azerbaijan - Sweden 3-0 (2-0)
/Mahmudov 3, 89, Dadashov 6/
Bulgaria - Hungary 2-2 (1-1)
/Delev 24, Despodov 79 pen - Adam 10, Petkov 90+7 og/
Slovakia - Iceland 4-2 (2-1)
/Kucka 30, Duda 36 pen, Haraslin 47, 55 - Oskarsson 17, Gudjohnsen 74/
Montenegro - Lithuania 2-0 (1-0)
/Kuc 3, Jovetic 48/
Luxembourg - B&H 3-0 (2-0)
/Olesen 6, Rodrigues 30, Martins Pereira 56/
Liechtenstein - Portugal 0-2 (0-0)
/Ronaldo 47, Cancelo 57/
Friday
18:00: (1.03) Kazakhstan (18.0) San Marino (90.0)
20:00: (5.00) Moldova (3.50) Albania (1.85)
20:00: (1.95) Finland (3.50) N.Ireland (4.40)
22:45: (2.45) Poland (3.35) Czech R. (3.15)
22:45: (1.58) Denmark (4.00) Slovenia (7.00)
22:45: (1.13) Italy (10.5) Macedonia (22.0)
22:45: (1.01) England (28.0) Malta (95.0)
Saturday
17:00: (4.40) Armenia (3.50) Wales (1.95)
20:00: (1.57) Belarus (3.80) Andorra (8.00)
20:00: (22.0) Latvia (10.5) Croatia (1.13)
22:45: (1.33) Switzerland (5.40) Kosovo (11.0)
22:45: (1.15) Netherlands (9.50) R.Ireland (19.0)
22:45: (2.85) Israel (3.20) Romania (2.60)
22:45: (1.01) France (25.0) Gibraltar (70.0)
Sunday
20:00: (1.10) Sweden (11.0) Estonia (37.0)
22:45: (12.0) Liechtenstein (5.50) Luxembourg (1.32)
22:45: (2.40) B&H (3.40) Slovakia (3.20)
22:45: (2.10) Scotland (3.50) Norway (3.80)
***odds are subject to change***
