La Gazzetta dello Sport have worked out that Italy are due to reach at least the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Their qualification for the tournament only begins tomorrow against Israel.
The top team from the group goes through automatically, while second enters a play-off round, so that’s tricky considering Italy share their group with Spain and Albania.
However, superstition is on the Azzurri’s side.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have worked out that Italy are due to reach at least the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
Their qualification for the tournament only begins tomorrow against Israel.
The top team from the group goes through automatically, while second enters a play-off round, so that’s tricky considering Italy share their group with Spain and Albania.
However, superstition is on the Azzurri’s side.
La Gazzetta dello Sport calculated that since losing the 1970 World Cup Final to Brazil, Italy have reached at least the semi-final of a major tournament every six years.
There was only one hiccup in this streak, when they stuttered at Euro 1976, but made up for it by finishing fourth at both the 1978 World Cup and Euro ’80.
The Nazionale otherwise hit their target in the 1982 World Cup (champions), Euro ’88 (semi-final), 1994 World Cup (Final), Euro 2000 (Final), 2006 World Cup (champions) and Euro 2012 (Final).