As it is known that one of Italy’s elite European teams, failed to qualify automatically for the 2022 World Cup Finals. Italy only ranks 2nd in Group C under Switzerland. Although Italy failed to qualify automatically for the 2022 World Cup Finals, Italy still has a chance to compete in the 2022 World Cup Qatar. The condition is that Italy must be able to seal one of the three remaining tickets for the 2022 World Cup for the UEFA Zone.
As the 2nd winner of Group C, Italy has the right to advance to the Second Round, namely the play-off round with the nine 2nd winning teams from the other groups plus two countries from the UEFA Nations League. Together with 11 other teams, Italy will compete for the remaining tickets for the 2022 World Cup for the UEFA Zone.
Apart from Italy, the other 11 teams that advanced to the “Second Round” were Portugal, Sweden, Ukraine, Wales, Scotland, Turkey, Russia, Poland and North Macedonia, as well as Austria and the Czech Republic from the UEFA Nations League. The 12 teams will be divided into three play-off paths. Each lane consists of 4 teams. The 4 teams from each lane will play in the semi-finals.
The winning team in the semi-finals will advance to the finals. The three winning teams in the final of each lane will be entitled to a ticket to the 2022 World Cup. The distribution of the three play-off paths will be drawn on November 26, 2021. The semi-finals of the play-offs will take place on March 25-26, 2022. While the finals of the play-offs will take place 29-30 March 2022.
There are fears some football fans, Italy will be on the same path play-off with Portugal. If that happens, it means that the 2022 World Cup will lose one of Europe’s elite teams. It could be Italy, but it could also be Portugal. Italy’s fall into the “Second Half” is inseparable from the decline in the performance of Gli Azzurri. This can be seen from the Italian points acquisition. From the last 5 matches of the Group C phase, Italy lost 8 points and could only secure 7 points.
The thing that gets the most attention regarding the declining performance of Gli Azzurri is the lack of sharpness of the Italian strikers. They were unable to deliver a goal at a time when Italy needed it the most. Regarding this, Enock Barwuah, brother of former Italian national team striker Mario Balotelli, is concerned. As a solution for Italy’s front line in the play-offs, Barwuah suggested Italy coach Roberto Mancini to recall Mario Balotelli.
Barwuah believes that Balotelli will be the solution for the Italian front line. Barwuah also believes that Balotelli can fill Italy’s front line and will take Italy through the play-offs. According to Barwuah, Balotelli should not be ignored.
Mario Balotelli himself has a desire to return to play in the Italian national team. Like his brother Barwuah, Balotelli also believes he will be a blunt option for the Gli Azzurri front line. Balotelli stated that he was ready to partner with anyone on the Italian front lines. Either with Ciro Immobile or other attackers.
Because of Balotelli’s great desire to be able to return to play in the Italian national team, he is ready to try to be a good boy. In addition, jokingly, Balotelli stated that he was ready to walk from Turkey to Italy if he was called to play in the Italian national team. Balotelli has not played for the Italian national team for a long time. Balotelli last played for Gli Azzurri in July 2018 when Italy versus Poland in the UEFA Nations League. At that time Italy drew 1-1 with Poland.
Balotelli is really a great and talented player. It’s just a shame, Balotelli has a ruthless and controversial temper. Balotelli lacked discipline and was involved in several conflicts with colleagues, coaches, and even with the club president. Proof that Balotelli is a great and talented player, from the beginning of his appearance he has played in a number of big Italian and English clubs. At the young age of 16 Balotelli has attracted the attention of Inter Milan. At Inter Balotelli played from 2006-2010.
Furthermore, from 2010-2013, Balotelli played at Manchester City. After the Citizen, Balotelli returned to Italy to play at AC Milan, In Milan Balotelli played for one season (2013-2014). In 2014 Balotelli returned to the Premier League, but did not return to Manchester City. Balotelli chose to join Liverpool. At Liverpool Balotelli played for two seasons, 2014-2016.
Balotelli is also noted to have played in the French League 1. Balotelli was a mainstay for Nice (2016-2019) and Marseille (2019). Now the 31-year-old Ghanaian-blooded player plays for one of the Turkish clubs, namely Adana Demirspor. Balotelli played at the Turkish club after playing at Brescia and AC Monza.
For the current coach of the Italian national team, Roberto Mancini, Balotelli is not a stranger. Mancini has coached Balotelli at Inter Milan, at Manchester City, and at the Italian national team.
But Mancini never had a bad relationship with Balotelli. Mancini was involved in a sharp dispute while at Manchester City. Mancini and Balotelli at that time even had great physical contact. Despite the conflicts that have occurred, Mancini objectively admits that Balotelli is a great player. However, Mancini regretted Balotelli’s ruthless attitude.
In Mancini’s view, the player nicknamed Super Mario has wasted opportunities in his golden age and failed to show his best performance. Balotelli, according to Mancini, should at this age be at the top. It is quite interesting how Mancini’s current response and attitude regarding the voices that want Balotelli to be recalled to the Italian national team, including the wish of Balotelli himself.
If Balotelli really changed his temper to be a good boy, would Mancini give up on calling Super Mario to the Italian national team? As a solution to the dullness of the Italian front line, will Balotelli be Mancini’s option? We’ll just have to wait for the developments later.
ASL
