EUROPEAN champions risk going from heroes to zeroes in the space of less than nine months.
The Azzurri won the Euros against England at Wembley last July, but now face missing out on the World Cup.
A goalless draw against Northern Ireland in Belfast saw the Italians fail to make it to Qatar automatically, despite going through the entire qualifying campaign unbeaten.
Switzerland were the beneficiaries of that result as they finished top of the group, condemning Roberto Mancini's side to a play-off at home to North Macedonia.
And to make matters worse, the play-off draw then handed them a likely away tie against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal if they win this match.
Italy's Balkan opponents have come on leaps and bounds as a football power, qualifying for their first ever tournament when they reached Euro 2020.
And the Italians will be well aware that the North Macedonians beat Germany away in qualifying, so they can't expect this one to be a formality.
What time does Italy vs North Macedonia kick off?
- Italy take on North Macedonia on Thursday, March 24.
- The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time – 8.45pm in Italy and North Macedonia.
- It takes place at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo.
- The sides last met in 2017 when an equaliser from Aleksandar Trajkovski saw North Macedonia earn a surprise 1-1 draw in World Cup 2018 qualifying in Turin. Italy would go on to miss out on the World Cup.
What TV channel is Italy vs North Macedonia on and can I live stream it?
- Italy vs North Macedonia is live on Sky Sports Arena.
- Coverage commences at 7.40pm – five minutes before kick-off.
- To stream the game live, head to Sky Go or Now TV.
Team news
Italy
Brazil-born duo Luiz Felipe and Joao Pedro have been called up to the Italy squad for this play-off.
However, there's no emotional return for Mario Balotelli, who Roberto Mancini had recalled to his previous squad.
Centre-back Alessio Romagnoli has also failed to make the cut.
Italy are also without the star of the Euro 2020 final, Federico Chiesa, who missed out with a knee injury.
Defender Leonardo Spinazzola has been out since the European Championship with a ruptured achilles tendon and will play no part in this one.
There are also concerns over the condition of Lorenzo Insigne, Nicolo Barella and captain Giorgio Chiellini and the performances of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manager Roberto Mancini has even confirmed that Chiellini is only likely to play in one of the two World Cup play-off matches, assuming Italy reach the final.
North Macedonia
Key midfielders Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov are both out for North Macedonia while striker Adis Jahovic is also out.
Serie A legend Goran Pandev is unavailable after retiring from international football following Euro 2020 last summer.
That could lead Trajkovski to lead the line as he looks to get one over on Italy again.
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Latest odds
To win in 90 minutes
Italy 2/13
Draw 13/2
North Macedonia 15/1
To qualify
Italy 1/20
North Macedonia 9/1
What they said
Italy manager Roberto Mancini is in confident mood ahead of the play-off semi-final.
He said: “I am optimistic because I have players who won Euro 2020 starting from nothing when nobody believed in us.
"We must think about what we did to have more self-confidence, the team is solid and with quality.
"Our goal is to win the World Cup. To do it we have to start by winning these two games.
"We want to go to the World Cup to win it."
- Kieran Davies
Travel broadens the mind
North Macedonia did not take a single point away from home in their Euro 2020 campaign.
Taking 10 points from the last 12 on offer on their travels in their World Cup qualifiers will give them optimism.
They have scored 13 goals in the process.
- Kieran Davies
Making a name for themselves
North Macedonia qualified for their first-ever major tournament as an independent nation at Euro 2020.
Having finished second behind Germany in Group J, they have a chance to qualify for their first World Cup.
Blagoja Milevski's side inflicted a shock 2-1 defeat over Germany in the qualifying campaign.
- Kieran Davies
Road to Qatar
The Azzurri have never failed to make it to the World Cup twice on the bounce and are one of only two playoff sides to navigate their group unbeaten, the other being Ukraine.
Italy have only won two games in their last seven in all competitions.
They have never lost a World Cup qualifying match on their own turf and head into tonight’s game as massive favourites.
- Kieran Davies
Form needing addressing
Roberto Mancini’s side were only able to win one of their final five group matches.
Drawing four of their final five games cost them automatic qualification.
While Italy were held to a goalless stalemate by Northern Ireland on the final matchday, Switzerland put four unanswered goals past Bulgaria to force Italy to settle for a spot in the playoffs.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to Italy vs North Macedonia
Italy’s bid to secure a place in Qatar continues with Roberto Mancini’s team taking on North Macedonia in the semi-final of their World Cup 2022 qualifying play-off in Palermo.
The two nations are competing for a place in the play-off final where they will meet either Portugal or Turkey in the Path C final, which is due to take place next Tuesday.
Having failed to make it to the 2018 World Cup, it is unthinkable for Italy to miss a second successive World Cup tournament.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo has been forced to withdraw through injury and has been replaced in the squad by Mattia De Sciglio.
Three uncapped players have been called up in Joao Pedro, Luiz Felipe and Mattia Zaccagni for this pivotal fixture although Mancini is expected to rely on his experienced crop of players.
Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini are in the squad but not expected to feature due to their recent injury problems.
North Macedonia will be without Eljif Elmas and Thomir Kostadinov as they serve suspensions.
Arijan Ademi and Boban Nikolov are expected to replace them in the middle of the park while striker Adis Jahovic has had to pull out due to injury.
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