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2020-21 UEFA Nations League
Matchday 5 of 6
Italy vs Poland
Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Sunday, 15 November 2020
Kick-off is at 21:45
Italy will be aiming to jump above Poland in UEFA Nations League Group A1 when the two countries meet in Reggio Emilia on Sunday.
Gli Azzurri boast an unbeaten record in the group, but sit a point behind Poland after four rounds of fixtures. In fact, Italy are unbeaten in 19 games going back to October 2018 but Roberto Mancini's troops need to win their final two games to make sure of a place in next year's Nations League Finals.
Italy were held to a 1-1 draw by the Netherlands in Bergamo last time out and despite the setback, Mancini is confident that his side will climb to the summit this month.
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"We got the best chances of the game [versus the Dutch], but it's fine; it was a good, strong performance. Poland are ahead of us in the standings? We'll win the next games. We created lots of chances to win the Netherlands game, but we couldn't do it. We'll win against Poland and we'll top our group," said a confident Mancini.
Poland moved top of the group following a 3-0 thumping of Bosnia & Herzegovina in Wroclaw last month with Robert Lewandowski at the double for The Eagles.
"We have two more games ahead of us as we play against Italy and the Netherlands, who are very difficult opponents," said Poland head coach Jerzy Brzęczek.
"Theoretically, we can still win the group. You need patience in creating a team. The road is long, but the competition is growing and this must lead to an increase in quality. I believe we have very strong foundations and that no storms can knock us over."
Image copyright: Getty Images
Mancini named a 41-man squad amid Covid-19 fears after he himself tested positive for the virus ahead of the international break. Brzęczek has also contracted the virus recently and tested positive ahead of the Italians' visit to Gdansk in October.
That meeting in Poland ended in a 0-0 draw and duly extended Italy's unbeaten run in this fixture to four matches.
Italy vs Poland head-to-head statistics (last five matches in all competitions):
Italy wins: 2
Poland wins: 1
Draws: 2
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