Italy had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Switzerland at Stadio Olimpico in a crucial World Cup qualifier clash after Jorginho missed a late penalty for the Azzurri.
Swiss had a great start to the game after debutant Noah Okafor’s blistering counter-attack shook Roberto Mancini’s defence and the Red Bulls Salzburg man’s cut-back was brilliantly finished by the right-back, Silvan Widmer.
However, the Azzurri didn’t trail for long as the European Championships equalized the game through Giovanni Di Lorenzo with the help of an innovative set-price routine. The host dominated the game after an early setback but didn’t manage to find the winning goal.
Italy 1-1 Switzerland:
After this result, Italy is currently at the top of the group in goal difference with 15 points in 7 games and Switzerland are sitting second with the same points in as many games.
After the game, Italy manager Roberto Mancini expressed his disappointment and said that they missed two penalties in both games against Switzerland, otherwise, they would have already been qualified. Nevertheless, he is optimistic about going to Qatar next season. Mancini said on the official website:
“Unfortunately, that’s how things are. We missed a penalty in the reverse fixture and on tonight. If we’d scored them both, the job would already be done. Jorginho is one of our penalty takers – he wanted to take it and it’s right that he did so.
“We struggled in the first half; the goal set the tone. We did well after the break; we didn’t back down and only the goal was missing. I am still confident; we’ll get up for it on the final matchday.”
Switzerland captain Xherdan Shaqiri was pleased about his team’s performance against Italy and believes that they can make it through to the World Cup next season. Shaqiri said on the official website:
“But I have to compliment my team, we deserved a draw. It’s all still in our hands, so we can be satisfied. Now we have to we’ll give everything again against Bulgaria, in the end, we’ll do the math. I’m convinced that a lot of fans will come and that there will be a cauldron in Lucerne. ”
The upcoming fixtures for both teams:
Italy will be travelling to Northern Ireland in the final group game on Monday night and Switzerland will host Bulgaria at the same time. A battle to finish top of the group and qualify as a group topper. The second-placed team will have to go down through the playoffs round to book their ticket for Qatar.
