dpa
Frankfurt
Ukraine and defending champions Italy are vying for one of five Euro 2024 tickets on the final matchday of qualifying when they face each other in the tournament host country of Germany.
Coming off a 5-2 victory over North Macedonia on Friday, Italy need only a draw in Leverkusen to qualify. Ukraine must defy the odds and beat Italy for the first time in seven encounters to make the finals.
Italy overcame some nerves with the win against North Macedonia who had denied them a place at the 2022 World Cup in a play-off. There could be more jitters on Monday as the Azzurri will be under pressure not to miss a second straight big tournament.
"We need an Italy that has strong characters and players who know how to face these situations,” coach Luciano Spalletti has said.
Ukraine prepared in Poland for what will be a huge game amid the ongoing Russian invasion which denies them playing at home.
"We will do everything to make our soldiers happy,” defender Valeriy Bondar has vowed amid general "big pride” within the team to do themselves and the country proud.
Midfielder Georgiy Sudakov said: "We will fight to win and do our best. Beating Italy and qualifying for the finals is our dream.” Not all is lost for Italy if they lose as they will get a second chance via play-offs in March deciding the final three tickets for the 24-team tournament. Ukraine could also make the play-offs.
The final matchday runs Sunday to Tuesday and sees two more direct duels for a finals spot on Monday. Kazakhstan and Moldova need victory away from home at rivals Slovenia and the Czech Republic, respectively, to make it to a big event for the first time.
Serbia and Croatia are meanwhile well-placed to make the finals, and are both assured of a play-off berth is they don’t make it.
So far qualified alongside directly entered hosts Germany are Germany are Albania, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, England, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and Turkey.