Italy, Florenzi: "Without Ibra, Sweden is less scary. I would die for a chance at the World Cup."

Roma midfielder Alessandro Florenzi appeared at a press conference at Italy's training ground. The Azzurri are getting ready to face Sweden in the first match of a two-leg playoff to reach the World Cup. The mood of the squad was relayed by Florenzi: "It's a delight and an honor to play in the national team. We must make the World Cup: that is the message from the senior members of the team, passed through the mid-career players like me to the younger ones. We will not rely on formulations, it all depends how Sweden is positioned on the pitch. Without Ibra it is a little less frightening. Sweden is tough, though, they're physical and play in small spaces. They knocked out a difficult team in the Netherlands. But we have quality and we will be ready to play well in the match. Every one of us dreams of playing at the World Cup. We didn't get far in 2014, I want to die on the pitch to play for the 2018 tournament. Italy is not in trouble, the situation is similar to when we had to face Spain. The goal remains getting to the World Cup. Pirlo? I did not play that much with him but I faced him many times, he is part of history. Zaza? He was important at the Euros, even though he has faced a lot of criticism about the penalty run-up."