The Italian nation goes crazy, the coach remains calm. We will go to the World Cup and maybe win it all, says Mancini

After triumphing at this summer’s Euro, Italy will have to go through a barrage at the World Cup, in which they may also face the Czech Republic. But coach Roberto Mancini is not worried about the play-offs for the big tournament.

Before the last round of qualifying, everything seemed clear. Italy only needed one win from the matches against Switzerland and Northern Ireland to be sure of progression. However, Mancini’s charges only drew at home and didn’t even score in Northern Ireland (0:0).

As the Swiss thrashed the Bulgarians 4:0 in a match played in parallel, Italy dropped to the second place, i.e. the barrage place. Yet Mancini was adamant in an interview that he was not upset by this setback.

“We will qualify for the World Cup in March and then maybe we will win the whole thing. I am full of confidence. We can’t do anything about it now, but we will try to do our best in March.”

Jorginho had Italy’s ticket to Qatar on his leg against the Swiss, but he sent his 90th-minute penalty kick over the bar and the match ended 1-1. The 1-1 draw with the Bulgarians in September is also a pity.

“We should have beaten Bulgaria and converted two penalties against Switzerland. We should have won these matches. But I have no doubt about the barrage. We have to find again what has graced us so far and stay completely calm until March.”

It was traditionally a struggle in the Islands. The Italians were unable to beat their tenacious opponents despite holding the ball at seventy-two percent. The Northern Ireland players also earned praise from the Swiss, who were said to be sending them good chocolate.

“Although we controlled the game, we failed to score goals. Northern Ireland built everything on solid defence and we couldn’t break them down. We have problems with such opponents. It‘s a shame because we should have decided the group much earlier,” concluded Mancini.

Football Italia