Mancini Warns Italians Of Bad Thoughts Ahead Of Their Must Win Tie

Written by Dare Solomon

With Italy playing a must win match at the World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland, the Azzurri manager Roberto Mancini has warned his side against bad thoughts.

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Italy is tied on points with Switzerland and could find themselves in the play-off if the Swiss team produced a better result in their tie against Bulgaria later today.

The play-off route is what the European champions are aiming to avoid with the memory of not qualifying for the last World Cup in Russia after losing to Sweden in the play-off.

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“Bad thoughts are serious things. This is a football match, an important match but we must try to play our game.

“It won’t be easy because they have always given little to anyone here. We have to be fast in the game and keep the ball on the ground, which we have been doing for three years.” Mancini said.

“Tomorrow (Monday) is a delicate moment but the boys must not forget what we have done, that’s all. We have to win but we are sure that all the teams will give their best, both Bulgaria and Ireland.

“The national team always has pressure, tomorrow there will be a little more. It is not a question of scoring many goals. If they haven’t conceded goals yet, there will be a reason for that, we have to win but if we manage to score more goals, so much the better.”

Meanwhile…

Barella has been declared fit for tonight’s clash against Northern Ireland.

The midfielder had some muscle fatigue that had been bothering him, though he was deemed to be ready to play during the Azzurri’s clash with Switzerland.

The 23 year-old however was not able to have the kind of impact he usually does on the match, and he had to be substituted off the pitch during the second half.

Now according to Roberto Mancini, the Inter Milan midfielder has recovered.

“Tomorrow morning we evaluate all the boys. Barella has recovered, Tonali has entered well and is in a moment of excellent form, so he could play.” Mancini revealed.

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