Italy ready for high-risk approach against Ukraine in bid to seal Euro 2024 spot
Luciano Spalletti and his Italian team pledged to continue a high-risk approach in Monday's high-stakes clash with Ukraine in Leverkusen, despite the danger of missing yet another major tournament if they lose.
Italy beat North Macedonia 5-2 on Friday to overtake Ukraine to move to second in the group. Italy needs only a draw to secure automatic qualification for Euro 2024.
«We are more positive under Spalletti,» said Federico Chiesa who scored twice. «We take a few more risks in defence.»
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«We want to play against Ukraine with this mentality.»
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The Euro 2020 champions have failed to qualify for the past two World Cups and a loss to Ukraine would see the war-torn Eastern European nation qualify for the Euros, leaving Italy facing a playoff tournament in 2024 to have a shot at defending their title.
While keeping a clean sheet would book the Azzurri a ticket to Germany for next year's tournament, Spalletti's attack-minded side have pledged not to sit back and defend like Italian teams of the past.
— 'Beauty of attacking football' -Despite a flattering scoreline against North Macedonia, the two-time European Champions left the door open for their bogey team.
Leading 3-0 at half-time, Italy conceded two second-half goals to Jani Atanasov, allowing North Macedonia back into the match.
The attack-minded approach is typical of Spalletti, who masterminded a fearsome offensive machine at Napoli last season as they won the Scudetto for the first time since the days of Diego Maradona.
Winger Chiesa was dangerous throughout and scored a first-half brace. He was not concerned about his side's defensive performance.
«The important thing
