On November 10th Italy will face a pivotal moment in their soccer history as they open a two-legged playoff series against Sweden for the right to go to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

 

National team manager Gianpiero Ventura is under tremendous scrutiny as he failed to secure automatic qualification amidst a number of questionable personnel and tactical decisions. A failure to join the rest of the crowd in Russia will certainly mark a low point in Italian soccer history, and ruin his legacy.

 

As such, it’s imperative that he picks the strongest squad possible for the pair of playoffs. Here’s a list of players who he may/should bring:

 

GOALKEEPERS:

Gigi Buffon

Gigi Donnarumma

Mattia Perin

 

DEFENDERS:

Leonardo Bonucci (familiarity > form)

Giorgio Chiellini 

Andrea Barzagli 

Matteo Darmian

Davide Astori

Davide Zappacosta

Daniele Rugani

Mattia De Sciglio

 

MIDFIELDERS:

Roberto Gagliardini

Nicolo Barella

Marco Parolo

Daniele De Rossi

Marco Verratti

 

FORWARDS:

Stephan El-Shaarawy

Lorenzo Insigne

Antonio Candreva

Federico Bernardeschi

Zaza

Manolo Gabbiadini

Ciro Immobile

Andrea Belotti