Italy under ‘intense psychological pressure’ ahead of critical EURO 2024 qualifier vs UKR
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Luciano Spalletti’s Italian national football team is under intense psychological pressure ahead of tomorrow’s pivotal UEFA 2024 qualification match between Italy and Ukraine, said former AC Milan and Italy manager Arrigo Sacchi.
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"It's a tough challenge. It has many pitfalls. Firstly, because they (Ukraine) haven't played (in the previous round – ed.) and have rested more than us. And also because tension is another enemy of the Italian national team. We have to try to isolate (the players) from the outside world and make sure Spalletti's guys don't feel the pressure.
“Will two out of three results be enough for Italy? Let's not talk about that with the players. If they play for a draw, they will lose.”
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“The team should follow the credo of the manager, who loves to attack. Let them do the same against Ukraine, not just sit around and count like accountants. It's important to go on the pitch with a clear vision (of the match) and the desire to implement it," Sacchi said, as quoted by TUTTOmercatoWEB, citing La Gazzetta dello Sport.
North Macedonia did not help Ukraine, losing 5-2 to Italy in the penultimate round of the EURO 2024 qualifiers on Nov. 17.
Serhiy Rebrov‘s Ukraine easily defeated Poland's Legia 2-0 in a closed-door friendly.
Ukraine's final qualifying match against Italy will be played at "home" in Leverkusen, Germany on Nov. 20.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
