For the Azzurri, second place in the group guarantees a simpler path. The obstacle for the Azzurri is England: they could be their opponent in the quarter-finals
The last day of the European Championship qualifying phase continues to smile on Italy. After qualifying at the last second against Croatia thanks to Mattia Zaccagni’s goal, the results of today’s 6pm matches – which closed group D – also “push” the Azzurri. Austria’s victory and France’s simultaneous draw, in fact, open up a less difficult path for the national team towards the European semi-finals. The main favorites of the tournament are all on the other side of the table from Spalletti’s team: Portugal, France, Spain and Germany in the “top” part; Italy, which as second in group B ended up in the “lower” part of the draw, currently has Switzerland on its side in the round of 16, and England as a possible opponent in the quarterfinals. Two of the four best third-placed teams are already known – the Netherlands and Slovenia – but they cannot yet be placed in the draw before the end of the group stage. Croatia, third in Italy’s group, is certainly eliminated, while Hungary is still in contention.
