Beating North Macedonia, which the Azzurri haven’t done in two previous encounters at home, so they can qualify for EURO 2024 with either a win or a draw against Ukraine on Monday. This is the primary objective of the National Team, for whom a crucial 180 minutes is in store. At the Stadio Olimpico in Rome tomorrow, the Azzurri will be on the hunt for three points against a side that can no longer qualify for next summer’s tournament but have inflicted damage on Italy in the recent past.

Since their first and only victory in Skopje in October 2016 (a 3-2 comeback win thanks to a Belotti goal and an Immobile brace), Italy have never got the better of the North Macedonians. In October 2017, Trajkovski’s finish cancelled out Chiellini’s opener in Turin as the two teams played out a draw in World Cup qualifying. In March 2022, meanwhile, Trajkovski bagged a stoppage-time winner in the playoff semi-finals to end the Azzurri’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in Qatar. Two months ago, Bardhi’s strike ten minutes from time secured a 1-1 draw for the hosts in Skopje, meaning Spalletti’s side dropped two precious points in the European qualification process.

“The team are doing well,” said Spalletti in an interview published on the FIGC’s social media channels. “We’ve worked in the right way and, before training this morning, I thanked the lads for the willingness and professionalism they’ve shown this week. We’ve had opportunities to work together previously and are moving forward with our work, so I want to see a better team compared to the one we’ve already seen.”

The Head Coach, who already knows what his starting eleven will be (“I have no doubts”), outlined what tomorrow’s opponents will do: “Every time they regain the ball, they’ll look to get it forward quickly. We need to take up the right defensive positions to snuff out the threat.” More than 50,000 fans will be at the Olimpico to spur Italy on: “Rome is capable of giving us the kind of boost that can make the difference. I’m expecting warmth from the crowd, who will hopefully be able to enjoy our moves and the quality of our play.”

CHIESA’S RETURN. After missing the matches in September and October through injury, Federico Chiesa is ready to play his first Italy game since Spalletti took over. Among the key figures of the Azzurri’s EURO 2020 triumph, the Juventus winger could play a pivotal role in the next two games thanks to his ability to beat his man and get shots away. He’ll be an additional weapon at the Head Coach’s disposal as the Azzurri look to get in front against sides adept at sitting back: “It’s disappointing that I wasn’t able to take part in the last two camps,” said Chiesa on the FIGC’s social accounts. “Now, I’m delighted to be here and lend the team a hand. Playing at the Olimpico will be fantastic.”

Monday’s match against Ukraine will be decisive, but winning against North Macedonia would allow the group to look ahead to the fixture in Leverkusen with more optimism: “Tomorrow’s game is vital; we’re playing to qualify. We mustn’t underestimate our opponents because international matches are always difficult. We want to do well and pick up a result by playing our game.”

BASTONI OUT, MANCINI AND CARNESECCHI CALLED UP

This morning, the Azzurri put the finishing touches to their preparations at Coverciano. Tests confirmed that Alessandro Bastoni has strained his right calf, meaning the Inter defender has joined Meret, Calabria, Toloi and Locatelli in having to withdraw from the squad. Luciano Spalletti has called up Roma man Gianluca Mancini in his place. Last night, Guglielmo Vicario experienced slight fever symptoms; as a precaution, Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi has been added to the group.

SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Ivan Provedel (Lazio), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Cristiano Biraghi (Fiorentina), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Manuel Lazzari (Lazio), Gianluca Mancini (Roma);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina), Andrea Colpani (Monza), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal);
Forwards: Domenico Berardi (Sassuolo), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Moise Kean (Juventus), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Nicolò Zaniolo (Aston Villa).