Overview
- The playoff draw takes place in Zurich on Thursday, with Italy set for a single‑leg semifinal on March 26 at home and a possible final on March 31 decided by the draw.
- Bergamo is the leading option for the home semifinal to create a compact, high‑pressure atmosphere, with Turin and Udine as alternatives and Rome’s Olimpico considered for a potential final.
- Gattuso has requested a 48‑hour February stage at Coverciano and plans small-group meetings in Rome, Milan and London, as the FIGC discusses calendar support with Serie A and receives backing from Sports Minister Abodi.
- The coach is targeting mental resilience and a settled setup, maintaining the two‑striker approach and leaning on Donnarumma, Calafiori, Tonali and Kean as reference points.
- Bookmakers have turned pessimistic, with Italy’s qualification priced at about 2.00 and elimination at 1.80, while Juventus turns to Luciano Spalletti in a move framed by Damien Comolli as safeguarding squad valuations after recent decline.