Italy will face Northern Ireland in the first match of the European qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup this Thursday, at 16:45 pm (Brasília time).
The team led by Roberto Mancini is in Group C and has Switzerland as its main rival for direct qualification for the World Cup in Qatar.
“The first game is always the hardest as it is our first game in five months. We are talking about a team that is not easy to play against, as they are very physically strong and will be one of our most difficult rivals. You can’t make mistakes when qualifying for the World Cup”, said the commander.
“Wearing the Italian jersey fills me with emotion. It was my dream and I hope to do my best. Italian defenders have always been among the best in the world. The team is good, they've been playing well and we have to continue on this path. Brazil never contacted me. When I found out that Italy wanted to call me, I accepted immediately and my family was happy,” said Rafael Tolói, a Brazilian defender with Italian citizenship.
CREDITS:
Italy x Northern Ireland
Date and time: 25/3/2021, at 16:45 pm (Brasília time)
Location: Ennio Tardini, in Parma (ITA)
Where to watch: TNT Sports Stadium
PROBABLE SCALE:
ITALY (Coach: Roberto Mancini)
Donnarumma; Emerson, Bonucci, Bastoni and Florenzi; Locatelli, Verratti and Barella; Insigne, Immobile and Chiesa
Embezzlement: Moise Kean (injured)
NORTHERN IRELAND (Coach: Ian Baraclough)
Peacock-Farrell; McNair, J. Evans, and Cathcart; Dallas, Davis, Saville, C. Evans, and Kennedy; Magennis and Lafferty
Embezzlement: Jamal Lewis and Liam Boyce (doubts)
