The Azzurri, European champions, cannot miss the Qatar World Cup. And Marco Verratti, in view of Thursday's match in Palermo against North Macedonia and in case of success on the 29th away with the winner between Portugal and Turkey, sounds the charge.
"We cannot afford to stay out of the World Cup and therefore we have a great duty, to bring Italy where it deserves and to make the history of this national team again," said the Paris Saint Germain midfielder.
"In the meantime, last summer we achieved something extraordinary that is still talked about today - he assured, he who is one of the 9 Azzurri of the current group who lived on their own skin on the night of Wembley -, we won by playing with enthusiasm and joy and a game identity. We must continue on this path that has taken us far, has given us more awareness and makes us confident. It is true that this time we have a lot to lose and the pressure is strong, but we are used to it. We cannot afford to stay out of the World Cup and to go there I only know one way: to work, to give our best, to help each other because everyone here has shown that they are useful and important. "
Objective, not to fail as in the play-off in 2017 with Sweden: "Compared to 5 years ago, the group and the coach have changed, Mancini took us that we were destroyed and led us to win the European Championship. He did a great job especially on our head. We would have liked to already be in Qatar, now we will do everything to go there, for our coach and for us, we are all in the same boat. In football as in life, there are always difficult moments, so you have to accept them and face them at best trying to go beyond victories and defeats. I am sure we will have two great performances. Our opponents will play the game of a lifetime, we will do the same and in the end they will sum up. ''
North Macedonia on Thursday: "It is the most important match because it is the first, never underestimate it, they are here for merit". Then, if all goes well, most likely Portugal: “I think we have a lot of chances to go through. Here we all want to play this World Cup and when you get to Coverciano you throw everything behind you and go back to talking about the triumph of a summer ago ".
