Soccer Football - 2018 World Cup Qualifications - Europe - Albania vs Italy - Loro Borici Stadium, Shkoder, Albania - October 9, 2017 Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura before the match REUTERS/Max Rossi
MILAN,(Reuters) - - Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura said the thought of missing the World Cup had never crossed his mind as he tried to soothe the nerves of his anxious countrymen on Monday.
Italy, who last went through a World Cup qualifying playoff in 1998 when they beat Russia 2-1 on aggregate, must beat Sweden over two legs to qualify for next year’s tournament and their lacklustre recent performances have many fans fearing the worst.
