When/if we make the playoffs, we will be a Pot 1 team which is determined by four highest ranked teams in the world. Other potential Pot 1 teams could be Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Turkey, and Ukraine in that order. The reason why I mention is, we will not face Pot 1 teams in either of the playoffs games.
If qualifying ended today: POT 1: Belgium, Italia, Turkey, Ukraine POT 2: Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Scotland POT 3: Albania, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo POT 4: Wales, Romania, Sweden, Moldova I'll update this after each of the three remaining matchdays because we are heading straight for playoff hell
I want to be angry at Spal, but I am just not. I'm angry at the players. They all knew they had one f'n job in Norway. DON'T F'N LOSE. It's their fault they're in this spot and they'll have to sleep in the bed they made if they want out of it.
Can someone explain to us how playoffs work? 12 2nd teams plus 4 nation league teams. Total 16. 4 pots. What about after that? I think 4 groups, with one team from each pot? And the seeded team plays at home the team from pot 4? Then? The winner plays the winner between the team from 2nd pot against the team from 3rd pot? And the winners from the 4 groups qualify to World Cup?
No problem, I've been trying to figure this out as well. It's basically what you said. 16 teams total. We will play a Pot 4 team (a Nations League team that didn't get 1st or 2nd in these groups). It'll be a one legged home game. Lose, we are out. Win, then we will play a winner of a Pot 2 vs Pot 3 game from our bracket (so we will know the two teams beforehand). It's also a one legged game, so we have to win both these games. That games location will be drawn. Win that, we are finally back in the World Cup. So it's 2 games total in the end of March. Basically we want the good teams in Pot 1 like Turkey so we don't have to face them. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.
There is no way we can face Germany, correct? Because if they don’t win their group they they will be top seeded in playoffs, correct?
"As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio, currently the most likely opponents for the Azzurri in the World Cup playoffs are Sweden and Moldova (19%). They are followed by North Macedonia (17%), Northern Ireland (13%), Romania (13%), San Marino (8%), Wales (7%) and Germany (3%)." each of these teams is beatable and with the way Gatusso has us scoring I am confident. Let's remember that 2017 and 2022 our issue was not being able to score a goal. We did not have Retegui Kean Pio at the time. I understand everyone is traumatized from 2017 and 2022 but remember with the expanded world cup the opponents will be far lesser.
I see no signs that this group is disunited right now or that they’re wanting to return to their clubs. If anything, they’ve seem to rally around Gattuso. Also I saw no lack of desire on the pitch. Especially in a guy like Tonali who was everywhere yesterday. The lineup tinkering game to game is a managerial decision. Gattuso took the game by game approach. But the time for that is over as our fate looks sealed. If it appears like the players can’t do more than they’re doing, it’s because they’re too tactically inflexible and not as good as we think they are.
✅ Riccardo Calafiori played the full 90, won 88% of his aerial duels (7/8), made 5 recoveries, and created 2 chances in Italy’s 3-1 win over Estonia! 👏🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/5kP2r6uHmb— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) October 12, 2025 I know it was Estonia but Calafiori is a rock at the back when asked to defend. We should not let the fact that he is so good going forward obscure that he is very good with his head is very fast as a CB and has a good tactical read of the game. We saw similar numbers from him at the Euros as well even against tougher opponents like Croatia and Spain. If we play a back 3 or a hybrid back 4 having him almost as a Libero in the middle of a 3 that cleans up play and starts it as a passing quarterback is not a bad idea. Bastoni Calafiori Scalvini could be very interesting together with Buongiorno as an option off the bench if he can among to stay healthy.
Continua il periodo da sogno di Pio Esposito, rete all’esordio con la Nazionale di Rino Gattuso! Gli azzurri archiviano la pratica Estonia per 1-3: troppe poche reti per sperare nel primo posto del girone.
Would Italy play a friendly with Russia? Let's just say that Russia would be the best ranked opponent you could find by a significant margin for an upcoming friendly. If not, why not? Some of Russia's recent friendlies: Nigeria, Jordan, Qatar, Iran. Upcoming Russia friendlies: Bolivia, Peru, Chile.
Doesn't matter to me. Can be anytime, after the WC, or if Italy fails to qualify, etc. If the prospect would be entertained at all is all I am curious about.
Gotcha. I don't think they are thinking that far ahead but I'd like for them to have a tune-up prior to the Playoff.
The seeds are the top 4 second place teams in the fifa rankings released in November. So we would not face Germany currently sinc they are in first place, but if they finish second we could face them if things get so bad fifa ranks them lower than four other second place teams. With FIFA and Infansucko, any and all things are on the table.
Even if Germany get 2nd in their group, they should be a Pot 1 team so we wouldn't have to face them. They are the next ranked team below us in the Fifa standings and no other potential team comes close afterwards.
Spalletti just mentioned Di Lorenzo as a world class Italian player along with Donnarumma, Bastoni, Barella, and Tonali. You literally can't make this shit up. What's also frustrating is I feel Gattuso sees him in the same light and will never sub him out just like Spalletti who never took him out once.
Germany would need to finish below top 2 in their group. They then would have nations league back door and go into pot 4 in which they could theoretically play us. Very unlikely.
Gattuso needs the courage to call up Marco Palestra for the right side. The guy runs constantly. Can be our right sided Spinazzola like a train up that right side.
When fit leoni, scalvini and buongiorno all need to be in the squad. Do any of them start, any thoughts on this please. Also does chiesa start when he returns if so who does he replace. Is it possible to play chiesa, kean and retegui. Does pio just come from the bench. Should kayode be starting or udogie. Any thoughts anyone on these points please.
I think Udogie could start at LB in a back 4 if Calafiori and Bastoni were the centre backs because he is a better defender than Di Marco and Cambiaso and Spinazolla but he does not have the crossing or creativity of either of them going forward. Di Marco seems to get an assist every time he plays. It's hard to not want to build around him as a manager. I think Scalvini will take his place as the RCB when healthy for sure. Kayode is beginning to start for Brentford as is Savona with Forrest so we just have to see how they do. Hopefully by the world cup we have Palestra Kayode Savona pushing Di Lorenzo for a spot at RB. But it very much depends on if Gatusso settles on a 442/433 or a 352. my ideal back 4 is probably this. Calafiori Bastoni Scalvini Palestra back 3 with wing backs Di Marco Bastoni Calafiori Scalvini Spinazzola