Mansion Sports – Newcastle midfielder and Italy national team player Sandro Tonali shared his views with Sky Sport regarding his team’s victory in the World Cup qualification play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.

He emphasized the importance of the result while also reminding that the team’s journey is not yet complete.

Italy Focuses Solely on the Match at Hand

Tonali revealed that in recent times, many surprises have occurred in the world of football. He referred to how even major teams can face difficulties, meaning that Italy must remain cautious.

He also stressed that the team is not thinking about potential opponents in the final, whether Bosnia or Wales. According to him, the primary focus is entirely on the match currently being played.

He added that reaching this stage is an achievement that has not been attained in recent years, making the victory something to be appreciated before moving on to the next match.

Evaluation of First-Half Performance

Tonali also highlighted the course of the match, particularly in the first half, which was considered below the team’s playing standards. He acknowledged that the players experienced tension and played with a sense of nervousness.

However, this condition was overcome in the second half, where the team was able to perform with greater freedom and demonstrate its true quality.

He emphasized that victory was the main objective that had to be achieved by any means, considering the importance of the team’s ultimate goal.

A Significant Goal in Tonali’s Career

The goal scored in the match was described as one of the most important in Tonali’s career to date. He compared it to a goal he once scored while playing for AC Milan in a match against Lazio.

He dedicated the goal to everyone involved, with the belief that all people deserve to see Italy return to the World Cup.

Nevertheless, he stressed that the team has not achieved anything in its entirety, as the journey remains long.

Tonali also emphasized the importance of quickly setting aside the euphoria of victory in order to prepare for the next match. He stated that the team must refocus, recover its condition, and deliver maximum performance to secure qualification for the World Cup.

In addition, he reminded that supporters deserve the happiness of seeing their national team compete in the tournament, and therefore the players bear a great responsibility to make it happen.