sport news Roberto Mancini says Italy would have gladly avoided potential Portugal clash ...
Roberto Mancini admits Italy would have gladly avoided potential Portugal clash in World Cup play-off finals but insists Euro 2020 champions are 'confident and positive' Italy and Portugal drawn in same pathway of World Cup play-offs Reigning European champions face North Macedonia in Rome in semi-final Portugal will host Turkey in Lisbon at the same stage in March Italy and Portugal could meet in the final with a 2022 World Cup spot at stake
View
comments
Italy coach Roberto Mancini admitted he was far from thrilled by the prospect of having to play Portugal in a potential World Cup play-off final.
Winners of Euro 2020 just over four months ago, Italy finished second in their qualifying group behind Switzerland and were drawn against North Macedonia in their play-off semi-final in Zurich on Friday.
More importantly, Portugal were drawn in the same pathway, meaning the winners of the two most recent European championships could meet in March in a winner-takes-all showdown with a place at next year's World Cup up for grabs.
Roberto Mancini admitted the reigning European champions wanted to avoid Portugal
Seeded by virtue of being among the best top six of the 10 runner-ups in
