Qatar 2022: Optimistic Mancini Believes Italy Will Qualify Despite The Set Back

Written by Dare Solomon

Italy suffered a big setback in their quest to secure qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after playing a goalless draw away against Northern Ireland placing the visitors in second place of Group C, two points behind Switzerland who defeated Bulgaria 4-0.

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Italy entered the night needing to match Switzerland’s result and come away on top in goal differential. They drew the Swiss 1-1 in Rome on Friday, which featured a missed Jorginho penalty that could’ve provided the group-winning goal for Italy.

Italy had far more possession and chances than their opponents, with 12 shots compared to four from Northern Ireland, but could not take advantage.

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Goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell was at his best to deny Domenico Berardi and Emerson in two of Italy’s best chances, while Federico Chiesa also had an attempt go just wide.

Northern Ireland could have stolen the win at the dead hour but Leonardo Bonucci made a goal line clearance after Donnarumma was beaten to the ball outside of the 18 yard box.

And now, only three months after their greatest success on the field since the 2006 World Cup, Italy now face a major blow to morale as they head to the play-offs with the draws scheduled for 26th of November.

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Italy coach Roberto Mancini believes all hope is lost as the former Manchester City manager look forward to the play-offs

12 nations will be drawn into three separate, four-team playoff brackets, where the sides will play a single-elimination semifinal and final. The winners of each playoff bracket will book the final three European tickets to Qatar.

“We can’t do anything about it now, we have this game in March and will try to give our best,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

“It’s a pity, because we should’ve sealed the group long before it came to this. We just need to rediscover what characterised us up until today. We had two missed penalties in the decisive matches, so that shows we had the chances to win.”

“Now we prepare for March and we go into the play-offs confident. We’ll book our place in the World Cup in March and hopefully win the tournament too.”

As a seeded team in the playoff, Italy will be guaranteed a home game in the semifinal.

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Omolagba Oluwayemi

I’m Oluwayemi, a sports analyst, writer and a passionate football follower. I started writing while I was in High School although not sports related but I became a professional sports analyst and writer in the year 2019. My passion for football led me into talking sports. I love writing articles as well and I love reporting events the way they unfold without mincing words for the fear of anyone.

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