Sweden – Italy: Enemies on a narrow road

(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Ventura and his team will travel to the Fields Arena to play against their hated opponents Sweden. The result of this match will greatly determine Italy's ability to participate in the 2018 World Cup.

Both Italy and Sweden faced an unlucky draw in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Europe. While the “blue team” was in the same group as the former Euro 2012 champion Spain, the Nordic team had to compete with France, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria. Sweden’s second place in the group exceeded the expectations of home fans, while Italy’s second place was not beyond the expectations of most football fans.

The bad luck continued to haunt Italy and Sweden until the play-off round, when they had to clash in the final battle to win a ticket to Russia next summer. As soon as the draw brought the two teams together, Italian and Swedish fans could only sigh in fear.

At this time, coach Ventura and his team are not really strong but are still rated higher than their Nobel Prize-winning home team. On the other side of the front line, Sweden no longer has the service of star Ibrahimovic (retired from the national team), but coach Hamren and his team are not an easy opponent for Italy.

Striker Cassano burst into tears when he heard the news that Sweden and Denmark entered the next round together. Photo: Internet

Therefore, the battle between them deserves to be the most worth-watching match of the 2018 World Cup play-off round. Of course, it is not only the balance of strength, but also the grudges in the past. Surely the fans of the "spaghetti country" still cannot forget the Euro 2004 group stage held in Portugal. The "handshake" between the two brothers Sweden - Denmark (2 - 2) in the last round of the group stage caused Italy to be eliminated in frustration, although Cassano and his teammates defeated Bulgaria with a score of 2 - 1 in the match at the same time. Having 5 points like Sweden and Denmark, Italy had to pack their bags and go home because of their inferior head-to-head record. The image of young striker Cassano covering his face and crying, Italian fans will never forget.

It was not until 12 years later that the Azzurri had the chance to reclaim their old debt. In the group stage of Euro 2016, Italy was in the same group as Sweden. A 1-0 victory after striker Eder scored in the 88th minute helped send Sweden home early.

Ibrahimovic and his teammates have received both capital and interest for what the Nordic team did to Italy in 2004. However, that still cannot make the fans of the "boot-shaped country" feel satisfied and elated. Simply put, Sweden is Italy's sworn enemy after Euro 2004.

Eder scored the only goal to help Italy defeat Sweden in the Euro 2016 group stage. Photo: Internet

Now, facing Sweden again in a do-or-die match is the chance for Italy to continue to vent their anger. What could be better for the Tifosi than to see their team defeat their Northern European opponents. A victory would help coach Ventura and his team secure a ticket to the 2018 World Cup and force their enemies Sweden to stay home and gnaw at their pain.

On the contrary, if they fail, Italian fans will have to experience the same pain and humiliation as they did 13 years ago. Therefore, the order for coach Ventura and his players is to overcome Sweden after two home and away matches in the play-off round. To realize that goal, Italy must achieve a positive result in their away match at Friends Arena.

In terms of force balance, Buffon and his teammates are slightly better with a series of good players such as Verratti, Insigne, Chiellini, Bonucci, Immobile... Italy's head-to-head record is also superior to the home team in the last 4 meetings (3 wins, 1 draw).

But do not underestimate Sweden's ability to win. The home field advantage of Friends Arena is a great advantage for coach Hamren and his team. In 5 matches as host in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Sweden won 4 matches and drew exactly 1 match. The 2-1 victory over France is a typical proof of the strength of the Nordic team.

Whether the image of “Cassano’s tears” will be recreated with Italy or not depends largely on the performance of coach Ventura and his team at Friends Arena at 2:45 a.m. on November 11./.

Thanh Hung