The heat is on for Italy ahead of tonights's second-leg playoff against Sweden.
The pressure is on for Italy heading into tonight’s World Cup qualifier against Sweden. Already one nil down on aggregate, Gian Piero Ventura’s side will miss out on the competition for the first time in 60 years if they don’t overturn the score.
Fans say the idea of the four-time champions not going through is tantamount to the apocalypse. But Sweden will be hoping for a break in tradition as they head out on to the pitch at the San Siro. They’ve missed the last two World Cups and, while some chalk their first-leg playoff win down to good luck, others say Italy are playing at their worst in recent memory.