If Gattuso’s national team makes it past the semifinals, it would be best to avoid the British, Czechs, and Slovaks to secure a spot in the final
Zubkov’s goal in the 83rd minute on neutral ground in Warsaw turned the tables in Group D: Ukraine advances to the playoffs as the second-place finisher, while Iceland is eliminated. That’s exactly what could happen between today and tomorrow in other groups that have reached their final round of matches. So, not everything is set in stone yet. A lot is still up in the air. In the meantime, we can get a rough idea of the pots and Italy’s potential opponents in the March playoffs. The teams in Pot 4 (re-entered as the 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 pot, the top seeds, so we won’t face Montella, Yildiz, and Calhanoglu’s Turkey; Dovbyk’s (who was absent yesterday due to injury) and Malinovskyi’s Ukraine; or Lewandowski, Zielinski, and Zalewski’s Poland. Not bad, for a start. One necessary clarification, however: if Germany were to lose to Slovakia tonight, or Denmark to Scotland tomorrow, or Austria at home to Dzeko’s Bosnia—also tomorrow in Vienna—then the Germans, Danes, or Austrians (in that order) would end up in the first pot, thereby pushing Poland or even Ukraine down to the second pot. 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 teams in the third pot in the playoff semifinals, which as of today are: Ireland, which has overtaken Albania in the rankings; Albania itself; Bosnia, featuring Dzeko and Kolasinac; and Kosovo, featuring Rrahmani and Zhegrova. The rankings don’t lie: Scotland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic are the most dangerous national teams looking ahead to Italy’s (potential and hoped-for) playoff final. Coach Steve Clarke’s Scotland can still qualify directly tomorrow at Hampden Park in Glasgow if they beat Denmark. If they fail to do so, they would remain the number-one threat, with Torino’s Che Adams, Bologna’s Ferguson, and Napoli’s McTominay and Gilmour in midfield. On Saturday, the Scots suffered a surprise 3-2 loss in their first qualifying match in Greece, after conceding just two goals in their first four games. Also worth noting are Liverpool captain Robertson, Aston Villa’s McGinn in midfield, and Bournemouth’s attacking wingers Christie and Doak, both of whom scored against Greece.
Others— Slovakia knows us well because it’s coached by former Napoli player Ciccio Calzona, who was recommended by Hamsik. Skriniar and Lobotka are on the field, while the striker is Middlesbrough’s Strelec. The Czechs, led by interim coach Jaroslav Köstl, are counting on Bologna’s Vitik, West Ham captain Soucek, and former Roma player Schick up front. But since yesterday, keep an eye on Troy Parrott’s Ireland as well—he scored a hat trick against Rossi’s Hungary, following a two-goal performance against Ronaldo’s Portugal. The 23-year-old from Dublin, who plays for AZ, has 18 goals in 18 games so far this season. Not bad, right?
