Defending European champions Italy, having missed out on participation in the 2022 World Cup, now find themselves in a precarious position as they progress through Euro 2024 qualifying.
Sitting outside the coveted top two Group C positions, they meet Ukraine at the San Siro on Tuesday desperately needing to take points off their surprise competition.
New Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti, who took over for Roberto Mancini and tasted a bitterly disappointing draw with North Macedonia in his debut on Saturday, will hope for improvement against a very competitive Ukraine side who sit second in the group. Italy rest three points back but with a game in hand and can leap into a qualifying position with a win. England remain well clear at the top of the standings.
Still, it won't be easy, as Ukraine are on a four-match unbeaten run, and Italy boast a squad that is unrecognisable from the team that won the European Championship just two years ago.
Prediction and betting tips for Germany vs. France
Italy have been impossible to predict of late. They have put in a few good recent performances, including victory over the Netherlands in Nations League play plus narrow defeats to high-quality Spain and England sides.
Yet there is also a host of occasions where points were disappointingly dropped against theoretically inferior opponents, and the squad appears bereft of the wealth of talent this team is used to boasting. Ukraine are a truly resilient side, and they are absolutely capable of securing a result here, especially considering they've essentially played every game outside their home country for over a year now.
Backing the visitors on the double chance is enticing, but this selection provides a bit more safety at still very
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