'ITALY HAVE BEEN IN THIS POSITION'
At least one of Europe’s heavyweights will not be travelling to Qatar in December for the 2022 World Cup. Both Italy and Portugal failed to make it through the qualification stage of the tournament and fate has placed them within one of the three paths to play-off glory.
This may very well feel like a case of deja vu for the Italian side, who similarly failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having fallen at the final hurdle in the playoffs to Sweden. Despite happening just four years ago, it must feel like a lifetime ago for Azzurri fans, who have since seen their team become European champions under Roberto Mancini, while also claiming the
