Italy seek to secure a playoff spot amid presure not to miss a third World Cup in a row.
Italy will host a crucial World Cup qualifier match against Israel on Tuesday evening in the northern city of Udine, following a 3-1 victory over Estonia in Taklinn on Saturday.
The latest result marks three wins in Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign under new coach Gennaro Gattuso who said the Azzurri need to “keep building confidence and continue to improve”.
Italy will need to avoid defeat against Israel on Tuesday to secure a place in the play-offs, amid extra pressure after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the last two World Cups in a row.
With a game in hand, Italy currently sits in second place and is level on nine points with Israel in third.
However, both teams trail runaway group leaders Norway, who hold a significant points and goal difference advantage.
With only the group winner qualifying directly, the match in Udine is effectively a decisive contest for the second-place finish.
Rematch
The two sides’ last encounter in September was a chaotic 5-4 thriller that saw Italy edge out a dramatic victory.
Gattuso is reportedly considering some changes in the starting lineup to limit the opponent’s attacks, given that in the first leg the Azzurri conceded four goals, despite the final victory.
Key players for Italy include midfielder Nicolò Barella, who controls the tempo, and forward Mateo Retegui.
However Italy will be without striker Moise Kean due to an ankle injury he sustained during the Estonia match, a significant blow as he had scored twice in the previous game against Israel.
In the last three qualifiers the Azzurri have shown an increased attacking potency, scoring 13 goals, in a winning streak praised by Gattuso’s predecessor Luciano Spalletti who was sacked in June following a heavy defeat by Norway.
“There’s a lot at stake” – Gattuso said ahead of the upcoming match – “If we win on Tuesday, Israel are out of contention”.
Political tensions
The atmosphere surrounding the qualifier is highly charged due to heightened security concerns following recent large-scale pro-Palestinian protests across Italy, and repeated calls for the game to be called off, including from the mayor of Udine.
Security will be tight, which hosted an Italy-Israel match exactly one year ago, particularly around the Hotel Friuli where the Israeli team will be staying, and a protest is scheduled at 17.30.
Only 8,000 tickets have been sold for the match which kicks off in the Bluenergy Stadium at 20.45 and will be screened on RAI 1.
Photo credit: Fabrizio Andrea Bertani / Shutterstock.com.
