Italy arrives at the moment of truth. In the Bel Paese they consider the appointments against North Macedonia and, if today’s goes well, against the winner of Portugal-Turkey, at the height of the great nights of the last European Championship. According to some, they are even more important. The Azzurra must avoid its catastrophe at all costs: not participating in two consecutive World Cups. It would be a historic disaster and would completely cancel the illusion and joy experienced at Wembley during the summer of 2021. Mancini, faithful to his elegant style, was calm. He said that Italy wants to qualify for the World Cup “to win it”, and everyone trusts him. Before the Euro, he said more or less the same (Follow today’s game live on As.com).
His rival today, however, cannot be underestimated. Germany knows this very well, having lost to North Macedonia in Duisburg almost a year ago. The scorers of that legendary night, Pandev and Elmas, will not be here today: the former has already retired from the national team, and the latter is suspended. Milevski, faced with the opportunity to take his country to the World Cup for the first time, hesitates between the 4-2-3-1 that has worked so well for him and a more cautious 5-3-2. Mancini will also have significant casualties. In addition to the injured (and uncalled-up) Chiesa and Di Lorenzo, he will give up Bonucci and Chiellini, which he hopes to use in next week’s final. there will be a defense blue unprecedented, while in midfield and forward the headlines of the Euro2020 will reappear. The 12 will take it to the extremely hot Barbera Stadium in Palermo, filled to the brim. And, finally, with 100% capacity.
ITALY: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Acerbi, Bastoni, Emerson Palmieri; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Immobile and Insigne.
MACEDONIA: Dimitrievski; S. Ristovski, Velkovski, Musliu, Alioski; Churlinov, Bardhi, Ademi, Nikolov, Trajkovski and M. Ristovski.
REFEREE: C. Turpin (France).
STADIUM: Renzo Barbera, Palermo.
HOUR: 20:45 (Telesport)