Like four years ago, when it didn't go very well. And once again there is the specter of Sweden hovering.
Italy fails to get the pass for next year's World Cup in Qatar. Group C is won by the Swiss, and the Azzurri European champions are forced to pass the play-offs in March and win two straight matches in a row if they do not want to finish out of the World Cup for the second time in a row, which has never happened in the history of football.
In Belfast, a lackluster national team fails to bend Northern Ireland, while in Lucerne Switzerland spread in the second half and won Group C, reaching 18 points against Roberto Mancini's team's 16.
The coach chooses Tonali in midfield for Locatelli and a light attack, this is the starting eleven of the Azzurri: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Tonali, Jorginho, Barella; Berardi, Insigne, Church.
In the first half Italy plays the game but fails to create great chances. The greedy ones happen on the foot of Di Lorenzo, who freed in the area makes a flying cross shot that ends outside, and of Insigne who delays the conclusion and ends up pulling weakly into the arms of the opposing goalkeeper.
Not bad, not even Switzerland can break the deadlock against Bulgaria and for the moment we are qualified thanks to the goal difference.
At the beginning of the second half, however, the result in Lucerne was released, with a goal by Okafor, while in Belfast - with Cristante replacing Tonali - Donnarumma had to say no to a dangerous shot by Saville.
Mancini inserts Bernardeschi for a dull Insigne and Locatelli for a bad Jorginho. He peppered the team with points, also putting Scamacca and Belotti for Emerson and Barella. But it does not go beyond a not so dangerous punishment by Berardi and a conclusion - this so very dangerous - of the Church that ends at the edge of the pole.
Meanwhile in Lucerne Switzerland is rampant with the goals of Vargas and Itten (he will also make the fourth in the final with Freuler), and the company becomes even more difficult. Italy would have had to score three goals to jump to the top of the group. It changes little, because the Azzurri are unable to break through the grim Northern Irish defense and in the 90th minute it is Bonucci who avoids the capitulation with a save on the line.
It ends 0-0 and everything is postponed to March therefore. Switzerland goes to Qatar, we are left with the play-offs: semi-final and dry final, with extra time and penalties in the event of a draw.
(Unioneonline / L)