Italy head into Friday’s crunch visit of Switzerland with their World Cup hopes still in the balance, as the newly-crowned European champions aim to definitively banish the ghosts of their disastrous 2018 qualifying campaign. 

Still on a high from triumph at Euro 2020, Italy lead Group C on goal difference from the Swiss, with the pair battling for a single guaranteed place in next year’s tournament in Qatar. Roberto Mancini took control of the Azzurri in the toxic aftermath of their failure to make the last World Cup in Russia, is well aware of the significance of making it this time round. “It’s important that we play well because after the Euro it’s the biggest match of the year. We know we have to win,” said Mancini.