Italy Aims To End World Cup Exile With Strong Play-Off Performance, Says Raspadori

Add as a preferred source on Google

Italy's national football team is determined to secure a spot in the upcoming World Cup after being relegated to the play-offs. The Azzurri, who have won the prestigious tournament four times, last participated in 2014. They missed out on both the 2018 and 2022 editions. Their last memorable moment was winning against France in the 2006 final.

Italy finished second in their UEFA qualification group, trailing Norway. This result means they must face Northern Ireland in a play-off semi-final next March. The winner will then compete against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina for a place in the World Cup, set to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Giacomo Raspadori expressed confidence about Italy's chances. "We have to go through the play-offs. We knew that, we know how important it is for us and for Italy as a country not to fail," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. He emphasised the weight of missing two consecutive World Cups and stressed their determination to succeed this time.

After Luciano Spalletti's departure in June, Gennaro Gattuso took charge of Italy's national team. He became only the third coach to win his first five matches with Italy, following Edmondo Fabbri and Azeglio Vicini. Despite a heavy 4-1 defeat by Norway in their last Group I match, Raspadori believes Gattuso is well-suited for the role.

Raspadori highlighted that multiple factors contribute when things don't go as planned. "There's never just one reason when things start to go wrong," he noted. He praised Italy's technical and mental strengths and stressed the importance of leveraging these qualities effectively.

The Italian squad remains optimistic about their capabilities. Raspadori stated, "We have the players, the team is strong, the coach prepares us well." He believes that with their current resources and preparation under Gattuso, they are well-equipped to achieve their goal of qualifying for the World Cup.

Italy's journey towards World Cup qualification is crucial not only for the team but also for national pride. The Azzurri aim to overcome past setbacks and demonstrate resilience on this challenging path to success.