In the semi-finals of those play-offs, Portugal is linked to Turkey and Italy must deal with North Macedonia. After that, a final duel for a World Cup ticket awaits. “We have already talked about a possible final match between Portugal and Italy,” Bonnuci told RAI Sports. “We’ve already joked about it, but what’s going to happen on the field… Ronaldo knows he will take blows,” he said with a small wink.
Yet the message is also serious. After all, Bonucci wants to reach the World Cup with Italy at all costs, after the country was missing in 2016. “I want to give my children my World Cup participation as a present. They have not yet seen Italy play in a World Cup.”
With the success of last summer, when Italy became European champion, the mandekker does not want to linger long. “We have achieved something special, but we now have to focus on the game with North Macedonia in the first place.”