LUCIANO SPALLETTI is calling it a "final" and, for war-torn Ukraine, on a sporting level, victory would be a statement like no other.
The Italy coach (right) has promised to maintain the Azzurri's high-risk approach in tonight's crunch Euro 2024 qualifier in Leverkusen - even if the price of defeat could be missing out on yet another major tournament.
Friday night's 5-2 win against North Macedonia took Spalletti's men ahead of Ukraine in the race to qualify automatically as Group C runners-up behind England.
A draw will be enough for the Italians, who failed to reach the last two World Cup finals in Russia and Qatar, to join the party without going through the high-wire torture of a play-off.
Esta historia es de la edición November 20, 2023 de Daily Mirror UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 20, 2023 de Daily Mirror UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Van got United revved up and he will be back at Old Trafford one day
WITHOUT being preposterously old school, there was a time when a man-hug was a rarity.
IRON MIKE? MORE LIKE BLUSTER BLOODVESSEL
Six months after being hospitalised with an ulcer, even 58-year-old Tyson can't keep up the pretence of being excited by prospect of losing his dignity as well as this fight
LET ME AT 'EM!
Legend McGuire can't wait to rattle refs in playing comeback
Mum and dad saved my life...and then I was their bridesmaid
Cute as a button in her fairy-tale dress, little Eloise Shaw made a perfect bridesmaid at her mum and dad’s wedding.
'Major migrant boat supplier' is arrested
PM says it's breakthrough in tackling Channel crisis
Church minister asked to 'step back' in abuse row
Reverend named in report
MARKET KNIFING VICTIM IS NAMED
'No terror link' to Remembrance Sunday horror
ROADS TURN TO RIVERS... AGAIN
Spain hit by 2nd storm hell
Terror bomb plotters freed after 17 years
Duo paroled despite 'no release' warning
Time waits for no man ...even the 'Baddest Man on the Planet'
Ex-boxer Julius warns Iron Mike before fight with YouTuber Paul