Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , Italy and AC Milan icon Massimo Ambrosini has given his assessment of Italy ahead of their World Cup playoff this month, the mood in the country, players to keep an eye out for and his verdict on whether they can get the job done potentially against Wales .
Ambrosini has also spoken on Thomas Tuchel’s England, the World Cup favourites, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal , as well as if Scotland , South Africa or the USA could shock a few sides come this summer.
Italy National Football Team
The Mood in Italy
What's the feeling in Italy before the playoffs? Fear? First of all, fear. But, we have to find the balance between the pressure that, of course, we have as a country that has not played at the World Cup for the last two editions. The balance between this pressure, but also the realisation that we know that we are better than Northern Ireland . We have to prove it on the field.
We're going to play in Bergamo . It's not a big stadium, but it has a very good atmosphere. Northern Ireland , we know they don't have their best player, Conor Bradley . So, we have everything to win the game. No fear. Let's go and see what happens next.
Wales vs Italy?
I played Wales away in the Millennium Stadium 20 years ago, and I know the atmosphere; the problem they're going to give you when you play them. So step by step, first Northern Ireland , then we'll see. I think Wales are better than Bosnia . But you know, here in Italy, the pressure, the tension is going up day by day.
If we don’t qualify, it’s going to be a disaster. Maybe you don't feel in England this kind of pressure that the players have here in Italy . But, it's going to be like a heartbreak, another heartbreak if we don't go.
Chance to Shine
Who can star for Italy ? I think we are discovering Pio Esposito this year. I think him and Mateo Retegui have had very good seasons. I think Manuel Locatelli in the midfield with Juventus is important, Nicolo Barella is always criticised here because showed very high levels in the past. It's a rollercoaster up and down, for him.”
60:40 Italy Qualify
Not 50-50, I would say 60-40 that Italy make the World Cup . I know Gattuso very well. Rino Gattuso is a friend of mine. I have a lot of hope that he can do it for everybody. He would deserve it for the passion he puts into everything. In the games we lost eight years ago to Sweden , Sweden maybe made one shot in two games. And four years ago, with North Macedonia , I think that we were very unlucky in these two games. So I would hope that in this case we compensate a little bit, I hope so, if we need luck.
Pressure
In Italy , the pressure is there, of course, we are not as passionate as you are in England , but we can be passionate as well. So, playing at home, you would only have one game, and playing in Bergamo for the first game against Northern Ireland is an advantage, of course. Playing in Wales is going to be very dangerous.
Evan Ferguson
Ferguson In Italy
When Evan Ferguson arrived in Rome , I said that he was a very good pick for Roma , but he didn’t have a connection with the coach. I heard Gian Piero Gasperini talking about him, and it didn’t sound positive. He didn't like his attitude. Of course, he hasn’t been lucky with the injuries either, but of course, for Ireland , he would have been a very important player.
World Cup Contenders
England
Thomas Tuchel is a very good manager. They didn’t concede a single goal in qualifying, which is very special. As the England manager, we talk about the pressure. Thomas Tuchel has big enough shoulders to handle this kind of pressure. I like him. I like the way he communicates. I like the way he works on the pitch.
For me, in this period, England players have realised that they need to be a team together. In the past, England were made up of very strong personalities that didn’t find a way to play together. It’s not like that anymore, but I will say that not winning the World Cup cannot be seen as a failure. Look at France and Spain , it’s not easy for anyone.
The Favourites
I think Brazil can win the World Cup with my friend Carlo Ancelotti . Brazil don’t have the same level of talent as in past years, but they have enough talent to compete. You don't win just on talent. In the last World Cup , Argentina won with technique, with Leo Messi , but also by being solid. Carlo could give Brazil the same solidity they need to succeed in this kind of competition and find the right way.
You can't play with only technique or only strikers, especially because Brazil don’t have the same pool of talented players as in the past. Rodrygo is also injured and won't be there. We don't know about Neymar . I don't know Carlo's decision regarding him, but of course, I will watch it very carefully. Carlo has made history many times, so I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again with Brazil . If he won the World Cup after winning the Champions League with Milan , after winning the Champions League in Madrid , and doing whatever else he did, you’d have to say, ‘ Carlo , stop. You have nothing else to prove.
Will Ronaldo Start With Portugal?
There is a question, Cristiano Ronaldo is a question. I don't have the right answer, but I'm sure that Ronaldo will play. I mean, if he's in the squad, he's going to play. Portugal are a good contender for winning the World Cup , but I don't know the condition they will arrive in at the World Cup.
They don't have an elite good striker. Portugal historically haven't had elite strikers. If Ronaldo goes to the World Cup , and he will go to the World Cup , he's going to play all the games, of course.
Outside Bets
Scotland
Yes, why not? They're playing against Brazil , Morocco , and Haiti in the group, and their first game is with Haiti . If they start with a good performance, I'm sure that Scotland could beat Haiti . That would be a good opportunity. They're going to play Morocco second, and Morocco is a very good team, but they changed the coach. If they beat Haiti and have a good game against Morocco , maybe the last game against Brazil won't be so important. Even to qualify after the group would be a good result for them.
South Africa
With 48 teams, the first part of the tournament is not going to be very exciting, but there is an opportunity for some surprises. Teams like South Africa might have an opportunity. I'm sure that these new rules can give incredible opportunities. You know, Panama , Haiti , Cape Verde , there are a lot of unlikely teams.
In Italy , we have had some problems, and people aren’t happy with having a minimum number of nations from each continent. We didn't like this because we asked why a team like Italy should have to go through a playoff game, while you see Panama and Haiti qualify directly.
Public Pressure on Pulisic with the USMNT?
Christian Pulisic is not in a good moment right now. He started the season incredibly well; every ball he touched was a threat to the opponent. But right now he's struggling. Maybe he's just taking a breath before the World Cup . Of course, he's a top-level player and the most important player for the USA .
Could he go to the MLS ? Why not? He's still got time. But it does depend on how the MLS progresses; it’s growing with Lionel Messi there, but when he leaves, the level will drop. If I were still playing, I would have chosen to go there. When I left AC Milan, I had the opportunity to go to play for Los Angeles Galaxy . The only issue was that I wasn’t a designated player, so the salary was not very good for me. That's why it was not easy. But I would have gone. I would have enjoyed it.
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