Italy vs Ukraine

The stakes are at an all-time high for Italy as they welcome Ukraine at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for a must-win Euro 2024 qualifying showdown.

Italy’s hopes of reaching Euro 2024 and securing a chance to defend their continental crown are hanging by a thread after a dismal 1-1 draw against North Macedonia last time out left them three points adrift of Group C runners-up Ukraine. With a game in hand, the Italians are still in the qualification picture, yet new manager Luciano Spalletti must galvanize his side following an underwhelming touchline debut in Skopje. The impending home return should settle the nerves in the ‘Azzurri’ camp, with Italy only losing once in 26 Euro qualifying matches on home soil in the 21st century (W21, D4). On top of that, they have avoided defeat in all eight meetings with Ukraine since 1995 (W6, D2), suggesting they could tilt the scales of their uneventful three-game Group C record (W1, D1, L1) into their favor.

On the other hand, visiting Ukraine put on a mammoth effort to hold high-flying England to a hard-earned 1-1 draw in Wroclaw at the weekend, maintaining their qualifying resurgence following a 2-0 loss at Wembley Stadium on matchday one. Serhiy Rebrov’s men have since gone unbeaten in all three qualifiers (W2, D1), boosting their chances of securing a fourth consecutive Euro finals appearance. The Ukrainians have fared well on the road in 2023, going undefeated in three of their four away internationals this calendar year (W2, D1). Speaking of their impressive form on the road, they’ve only lost two of their last 12 Euro qualifying travels (W6, D4).