Italy’s coach, Roberto Mancini, optimistic about reaching Qatar 2022 through the playoffs: “We are confident and positive”

Italy’s path to reach the Qatar 2022 World Cup is an odyssey as they have to face the always complicated North Macedonia and, if they pass that phase, they will play Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. The ‘Azzurri’ coach, Roberto Mancini, was dissatisfied with the playoff keys.

“It is not a great draw. It could have been better”, said the strategist in statements for ‘Rai Sport’. He also regretted acknowledging that the team wasted several opportunities to get directly to Qatar. “We had a great qualifying group. Even against Switzerland we deserved to win and yet we didn’t ”added.

“Both we and Portugal will have to win a game first to see each other later. They are complicated and very closed encounters ”, added the coach who was champion with the ‘Azurri’ in Euro 2021.

Nevertheless, the italian coach he was very optimistic. “We are always confident and positive, the most important thing will be to have all the players available to be able to play a great game against Macedonia”, added.

It is important to mention Roberto Mancini assured that the team would overcome the repechage and even lift the cup in Qatar 2022. He mentioned this, a few weeks ago, after the match that Italy drew goalless against Northern Ireland and sent him to the playoffs . “I have total confidence that we will go to the World Cup and maybe even win it”, stated at a press conference.

All the keys to the UEFA playoffs

Semifinals

Zone A

• Scotland vs. Ukraine
• Wales vs. Austria

Zone B

• Russia vs. Poland
• Sweden vs. Czech Republic

Zone C

• Italy vs. Macedonia del Norte
• Portugal vs. Turkey

The semifinals will be played from March 24 to 25, 2022, and the finals on March 28 and 29.