Italy Gattuso is ready to take the field for the final two matches of the year, legally to qualify for the next World Cup. The Azzurri must face Moldova and Norway before starting to project themselves towards the play-offs in March. There is still a chance to reach the top, although currently the chance is very small. So here’s everything you need to know about Italy’s path to the next World Cup
What you need to qualify directly
Italy are now certain to compete in the play-offs for the third year in a row, which are scheduled for March. We remind you that the group formula stipulates that only the first-placed team gets direct access to the final phase in the United States, while the second-placed team must go through the play-offs. Norway currently leads the group with 18 points and still has two games left, as do Italy, who are ranked 15th. If Norway loses or draws against Estonia, the Azzurri will have the opportunity to qualify straight away, win against Moldova and face Norway directly. If both teams finish on the same points, goal difference will come into play: a fact that is currently very detrimental to Gattuso’s men, considering Norway is +26 against Italy +10. Margins that are difficult to recover.
