Gli Azzurri's fear of playoff purgatory - previous fallouts left a deep and painful mark

Italy awaits tonight's duel with Ukraine with great fear. The last two eliminations in the playoffs for the World Cup in Russia and Qatar have left a deep and painful mark, so much so that everyone's hair is standing on end at the possibility of fighting with Poland next spring for the last place in the train for the European Championship in Germany or even with Croatia - that is, if the Checkered Ones make a mistake against Armenia. There is an undivided opinion that it is much easier to draw or beat Ukraine tonight in Leverkusen, than to go through the purgatory of the playoffs to the European Championship.

According to announcements, Luciano Spalletti will change almost half of the team compared to the one we saw at the beginning against North Macedonia. Giovanni di Lorenzo and Gianluca Mancini are new faces in defense, Davide Fratesi in midfield, and Matteo Politano and Gianluca Scammaca in attack. The only doubt is about the place of the striker, since Giacomo Raspadori could be a surprise at the last moment.

And while Di Lorenzo's return to the team was easily predictable (he did not play against North Macedonia due to card suspension), Mancini is a surprise. The Roma defender was subsequently called up for the selection, after the injury of Alessandro Bastoni, but he passed over Federico Gatti and Alessandro Buongiorno, who were, in theory, ahead of him to partner the experienced Francesco Acerbi.

The composition of Gli Azzurri suggests that Luciano Spalletti will try to take advantage of the fact that Ukraine must attack Italy, because only a victory will lead them to Germany. In this sense, Matteo Politano and Federico Chiesa, plus the Inter Milan trio Dimarco - Barrela - Fratesi are very logical solutions for quick transitions and creating a numerical advantage in the Ukrainian half.

The added motive for the victory of the Italians over Ukraine is the positioning for the draw of the continental championship in Germany. In case of a draw, the Italians would be in the fourth hat.

By the way, Jorginho, after four missed penalties in a row in the Azzurri jersey, will not take more penalties for Italy and if Spalletti's team has the opportunity to take a shot from the spot, that task will not be entrusted to the Arsenal midfielder.

EURO 2024 QUALIFIERS

Monday

22:45: (16.0) Macedonia (7.75) England (1.20)

22:45: (4.80) Ukraine (3.60) Italy (1.85)

22:45: (1.53) Slovenia (4.10) Kazakhstan (7.75)

22:45: (7.75) N.Ireland (4.10) Denmark (1.53)

22:45: (45.0) San Marino (15.0) Finland (1.03)

22:45: (1.27) Czech R. (6.25) Moldova (13.0)

22:45: (1.23) Albania (6.50) Faroe I. (16.0)

Tuesday

22:45: (3.60) Romania (3.50) Switzerland (2.15)

22:45: (1.67) Kosovo (3.90) Belarus (5.90)

22:45: (10.5) Andorra (5.30) Israel (1.35)

22:45: (6.25) Greece (4.00) France (1.62)

22:45: (1.17) Croatia (9.00) Armenia (16.0)

22:45: (2.15) Wales (3.50) Turkey (3.60)

22:45: (55.0) Gibraltar (20.0) Netherlands (1.01)

***odds are subject to change***