If Gattuso’s national team makes it through the semifinals, it would be best to avoid the British, Czechs, and Slovaks in order to secure a spot in the final.
Zubkov’s goal in the 83rd minute on neutral ground in Warsaw turned Group D upside down: Ukraine advances to the playoffs in second place, Iceland is eliminated. The same could happen today and tomorrow in other groups that have reached the final round. So, not everything is settled yet. Much is still up in the air. In the meantime, we can get a rough idea of the groups and Italy’s possible rivals in the playoffs in March. The opponents in the fourth group (relegated as winners of the 2024-25 Nations League groups) are now clear: Sweden, Northern Ireland, Romania, and either North Macedonia or Wales.

Italy will be in the first group, the seeded teams, so we will not face Montella, Yildiz, and Calhanoglu’s Turkey, Dovbyk’s Ukraine (absent yesterday due to injury) and Malinovskyi, or Lewandowski, Zielinski, and Zalewski’s Poland. Not bad, for a start. However, it is necessary to clarify that if Germany loses to Slovakia tonight, or Denmark loses to Scotland tomorrow, or Austria loses at home to Dzeko’s Bosnia tomorrow in Vienna, the Germans, Danes, or Austrians (in that order) would end up in the first group, thus moving Poland or even Ukraine down to the second group. In any case, the “big losers” would never face Italy.

Future rivals—  Currently in the second pot are Wales, Scotland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. These four will face the third pot teams in the playoff semifinals, which currently include Ireland, which has overtaken Albania in the rankings, Albania itself, Bosnia with Dzeko and Kolasinac, and Kosovo with Rrahmani and Zhegrova. The rankings don’t lie: Scotland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are the most dangerous national teams in view of Italy’s (possible and hoped-for) playoff final. Scotland, coached by Steve Clarke, can still qualify directly tomorrow at Hampden Park in Glasgow if they beat Denmark. If they fail to do so, they will be the number one threat with Che Adams, Ferguson from Bologna, and McTominay and Gilmour from Naples in midfield. On Saturday, the British surprisingly lost their first qualifying match in Greece (3-2), after conceding only two goals in their first four games. Also worth mentioning are Liverpool captain Robertson, Aston Villa midfielder McGinn, and Bournemouth wingers Christie and Doak, both of whom scored against Greece.
Others—  Slovakia knows us well because they are coached by former Napoli player Ciccio Calzona, recommended by Hamsik. Skriniar and Lobotka are on the field, and the striker is Strelec from Middlesbrough. The Czechs, led by interim coach Jaroslav Köstl, are counting on Vitik from Bologna, captain Soucek from West Ham, and former Roma player Schick in attack. But since yesterday, keep an eye on Troy Parrott’s Ireland, who scored a hat-trick against Rossi’s Hungary after Ronaldo’s double against Portugal. The 23-year-old from Dublin, who plays for AZ, has scored 18 goals in 18 games so far this season. Not bad, right?