Italy boss Luciano Spaletti will be looking for his first win against Ukraine after being held by North Macedonia in his first game. Ukraine heads into the Euro 2024 qualifying clash in second place in Group C. Italy is three points further back in third position, having played a game fewer.
Preview (Italy vs. Ukraine)
The Italian federation persuaded Spalletti to end his self-imposed hiatus after Roberto Mancini resigned as Italy’s head coach to take the helm of Saudi Arabia. Spalletti was back in charge for Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia. It is just four months after leading Napoli to their first Serie A championship in 33 years. Italy looked on track to exact revenge. Captain Ciro Immobile headed home the opening goal in the 47th minute of their World Cup qualifying playoff match. However, a late Enis Bardhi free-kick ensured that Italy left Skopje with just a point to show for their efforts.
Italy’s third-place performance in the most recent UEFA Nations League has guaranteed them a playoff spot. They will be anxious to avoid that second-best option. If they win on Tuesday, it will increase their chances of qualifying automatically. The Azzurri’s last home setback came against England. It was their first home loss in European Championship qualifying since September 1999. It underlies the success that Tuesday’s hosts typically have in front of their own fans. Ukraine has gone on a winning streak to earn seven points from three games. They climbed into second place after losing 2-0 to England in their debut Euro 2024 qualifying encounter.
Sergiy Rebrov’s team returned to action on Saturday with a strong performance against the Three Lions in Poland, where the designated hosts were playing due to the current conflict with Russia. This came after they won back-to-back matches against North Macedonia and Malta in June. Kyle Walker then tied the score in the final seconds of the first half. As both teams failed to score in the second half, Ukraine celebrated a significant point that puts them in a strong position in Group C as they seek to qualify for a fourth straight European Championship. In eight efforts (D2, L6), Ukraine has never defeated Italy. Despite the fact that a first victory would be an enormous accomplishment.
Team News
Prior to Saturday’s tie with North Macedonia, Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini withdrew from the Italy team. It dealt Spalletti two more blows in terms of injuries. Gianluca Mancini of Roma and Matteo Politano of Napoli have both departed the training camp because of thigh and calf issues, respectively. Spalletti decided not to call up a substitute for Mancini. Although Politano’s absence has resulted in the addition of Riccardo Orsolini from Bologna to the team.
Sergiy Kryvstov of Inter Miami, who took Matvieko’s place on Saturday, might be given the chance to start in Milan if the Shakhtar Donetsk defender is unable to play. Mykhaylo Mudryk, a winger for Chelsea who was substituted with a calf injury in the 90th minute of Saturday’s tie, will be watched closely by Ukraine. Italy would have been sad to not get all three points on Saturday, but we believe they will use their disappointment as motivation for the game on Tuesday, where we think they will fully capitalize on home advantage to earn their second victory of the qualifying season.
Italy 2 – 1 Ukraine
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