What do you think of Italy? So, except for pizza and spaghetti … When it comes to football, it’s probably the typical Cattenaccio, which stands for the Southern Europeans for their disciplined defense work. Under Roberto Mancini, the 2006 world champion has remembered this strength and seems to be hard to beat right now. For six internationals back is the zero. The last goal against the Squadra Azzurra was won by the Ukrainian Ruslan Malinovsky in the friendly match in October 2018.
But who believes that the Italians are building from one victory to the next, he is mistaken. The Mancini protégés also have a lot to offer offensively. With a goal difference of 11: 0 Italy leads the table in group J sovereignly after three matchdays. Behind them fight Finland, Greece and the upcoming opponent Bosnia for second place. With the good performances, the Italians have played in the closer circle of co-favorites for the European Championship next year.
The next opportunity to play with the muscles is on Tuesday night. Then the next qualification will be at home. Between Italy and Bosnia, a prognosis in the current state of the home side can only go in one direction. While the Italians were able to celebrate a convincing 3-0 success in Greece on Saturday, Bosnia defeated in the far north in Finland with 0: 2 and showed a very weak idea.
In this form Dzeko and Co. do not seem to be a serious opponent for the well-disposed Southern Europeans. For this reason, it is also logical that between Italy and Bosnia, the odds for a tip on the winner of the game are very clear. At 19:45 pm the match will be kicked off and it will become clear if the bookies are confirmed with their assessment.
Italy :
What is Italy doing right now? The question arises, if one looks at the past results of the Squadra Azzurra. The quality of the squad is not bad. Compared to the other big nations like Germany, France or Spain, however, there seems to be a bit of backlog. Maybe this is exactly the big asset of Roberto Mancini. The expectation in his own country is currently not as great as before and he can work with his crew in peace.
From many individualists, a strong and well-rehearsed collective has grown together. Another advantage is the fact that a large part of the squad in the Italian Serie A plays and thus practiced a similar football. Eight of the eleven players from the starting eleven against Greece are in the highest domestic league under contract. The two Chelsea players Emerson, Jorginho and PSG star Marco Verratti were the exceptions.
In the 3-0 success, the guests made everything in the first half and led there with 3: 0. In the second 45 minutes then the economy mode was enough to bring the result sovereign over time. This allowed two series to be expanded. The Squadra Azzurra remained unbeaten in the seventh game in series; Italy conceded no goal for the sixth time in succession. The balance after three matchdays in qualifying could therefore hardly be better with nine points and 11: 0 goals.
Coach Roberto Mancini has no reason to change anything in his successful starting lineup. It is quite possible that the same eleven players will start as on Saturday. It is also quite possible that between Italy and Bosnia Herzegovina a tip on the home team is promising. At any rate, the momentum speaks clearly for the hosts, who are bursting with self-confidence and want to expand their two series before the summer break.
Bosnia:
Considering the size of the country, Bosnia is a real footballing nation and has already achieved one or two major tournaments in the recent past. Many of the players earn their money in the European top leagues. Coach Robert Prosinecki wants to continue this success story by participating in Euro 2020. However, he and his team suffered a severe setback last Saturday.
With 0: 2 Bosnia defeated the direct competitor Finland. Miralem Pjanic, who was not allowed to participate because of a red card suspension, was missing in every corner. Added to this was the fact that superstar Edin Dzeko lost the scoring duel with Teemu Pukki, who tied a double. On Tuesday, the Bosnians have the chance to retrieve the lost three points. In Italy, guests have at least the advantage that they can play without pressure.
What the lineup Coach Prosinecki looks like is still completely open. Possibly he lets dzejevic next to Dzeko Dresden and tries to brave the way forward looking. Defensive will be on the wings Sead Kolasinac and Erwin Bicakcic act and against the nimble wingers of Italy probably have a lot to do.
Between leaders Italy and Bosnia, a forecast depends heavily on how well the underdog manages to find the balance between offensive and defensive. On the one hand, they have to play forward, as in the current constellation points (preferably three) hermüssen. On the other hand, a backlog against the defensively stable hosts has to be avoided. A tightrope walk that is difficult to tackle is up for grabs.
PREDICTION: Italy to win @ 1,37
