Roberto Mancini remains confident with Italy set for World Cup play-offs

Speaking to the media on Monday, Italy head coach Roberto Mancini said: "We will make it to the World Cup in March and then maybe we will even win it. I am totally confident.

"Despite controlling matches, we're struggling to score goals at the moment. We needed to score early on tonight. It's a shame because we should have finished things off sooner in this group.

"We need to rediscover what has set us apart until now and remain completely calm until March. We should have won against Bulgaria.

"We should have had two penalties against Switzerland. These are games that could have finished in our favour. I'm completely confident about the play-offs."

Euro 2020 winners Italy will now have to play two knockout games in March 2022 in order to secure a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar next November.

The Azzurri missed out on the automatic qualification after a goalless draw against Northern Ireland on Monday, finishing second in their qualifier group behind Switzerland.

Source: BBC