Between regrets and desire for redemption. With the opening match between the hosts of Qatar and Ecuador, the 2022 World Cup will kick off tomorrow, which will not see Italy as European champions on the field. The Azzurri take advantage of the break to test the specific weight of the generational turnover. After Albania, just tomorrow evening (8.45 pm, live on Rai 1 - referee the German Dingert) the national team takes to the field at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna to face Austria in the last friendly of a 2022 that will be remembered precisely for failing to qualify for the World Cup.
"There is suffering - admits Roberto Mancini from the Ernst Happel Stadion press room - and it will be there from tomorrow until mid-December. The boys immediately showed their desire to start again, even in the Nations League by winning a difficult group. My favorite for the World Cup? There are many strong teams, if I have to name one, I'll say Argentina : I saw them well against us".
Tomorrow the national team will be looking for a fourth consecutive victory after the successes in September in the Nations League with England and Hungary and the 3-1 comeback win on Wednesday in Albania.
Up against an Austria which, like Italy, will not take part in the World Cup. The last Italian victory dates back to the match in the round of 16 of Euro 2020, then won by Bonucci and his companions, when Italy prevailed 2-1 after extra time after a goal disallowed by Var to Arnautovic . And the Bologna striker, his team's best scorer with 33 goals in 104 appearances, is the number one danger of the national team led by the German Ragnick.
"The match is a good test - declares 'Mancio' - especially for the younger players. This will be a more difficult match and will make us understand if what we showed against Albania can be repeated. The match against Austria was one of the most demanding matches of the European Championship, even if we fully deserved to win it . They have several good players who play in the Bundesliga and are used to a fast pace. And then there is Arnautovic, who is one of the best talents of the last 15 years ".
