PALERMO -- The Italian national team is in danger of setting the worst record in Gli Azzurri history by failing to appear in the World Cup finals in two successive editions. After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, La Nazionale still have to struggle in the play-off round of the 2022 World Cup qualifying round for the European Zone.

Being on track C, Italy will face North Macedonia in the semifinals of the second round of the 2022 World Cup qualification for the European zone, Friday (25/3/2022) early morning WIB. The match at the Renzo Barbera Stadium, Palermo, will be the first step for Gli Azzurri to maintain its reputation as one of the top teams in Europe.

Not only is the record bad throughout the history of the formation of the Italian national team, the Gli Azzurri are the best European team after successfully embracing the European Cup title, precisely when silencing England via penalty shootout, mid last year. Facing North Macedonia, Italy will also be strengthened by a number of main pillars when winning the 2020 European Cup.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile, and Manuel Locatelli are back in the squad made by Roberto Mancini. Even with the possible debuts for Lazio defender Luiz Felipe and Sassuolo striker, Giacomo Raspadori.

''We have built a solid team base. We are quite positive and have to think all will go well. We can't underestimate the first game. The game will not be easy. If we can win, we also have four days to appear in the final,''said Italy coach Roberto Mancini, as reported by Football Italia , Tuesday (22/3/2022).