Italy have been the subject of much speculation and debate as they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers, but there is one player who has been overlooked by many: Marco Materazzi.
The striker from Italy has been a regular in Serie A this season, scoring four goals in eight matches, which has earned him praise from fans and pundits alike. However, it appears that Materazzi's international career may be in doubt after his two consecutive draws against France and Portugal.
Italy's first match was a straightforward 1-1 draw with France at home, while their second game against Portugal was a more difficult encounter. The result was disappointing, as both teams failed to score, leaving Italy without any points from their three matches so far.
It is not clear why Italy has struggled to score goals this season, especially when they have been producing some impressive performances in the past. The team has also faced significant injuries to key players such as Giuseppe Iorgio and Gianluigi Buffon, which could have affected their ability to produce quality goals.
Despite these issues, Italy still has a chance of qualifying for the World Cup, given their strong squad and potential to win games against top European teams. However, the situation with Materazzi raises concerns about the impact he may have on Italy's chances of qualification.
If Materazzi continues to struggle to score goals, it will be up to the Italian national team management to come up with solutions to address his performance gaps. The team needs to find ways to improve his goal-scoring efficiency, particularly if they want to qualify for the World Cup next year.
In conclusion, Italy's two consecutive draws against France and Portugal have put their World Cup qualifications prospects in a precarious position. It remains to be seen whether Italy can overcome these challenges and qualify for the World Cup, but it is important for them to focus on improving their goal-scoring efficiency and finding ways to strengthen their squad ahead of the tournament.