20 November 2023 , 22:51
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UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin got his wish after saying it would be a "disaster" if Italy missed out on Euro 2024.
And after being infuriated by the comment ahead of the match, Ukraine were left feeling even more aggrieved at the final whistle of their 0-0 draw after Mykhailo Mudryk's stoppage-time penalty appeal was waved away.
Italy and Ukraine squared off in Leverkusen with the winner knowing they would qualify for next summer's tournament as group runners-up behind England. A draw meant that Italy, the current holders after their victory at Wembley, would progress by the narrowest of margins.
The game ended goalless, but two minutes into stoppage time Mudryk took a touch in the box before being tripped by Bryan Cristante. Immediately the Ukraine players appealed and replays suggest the Italy man did make contact - but the referee was unmoved.
Oleksandr Zinchenko questioned the fourth official as the players and staff on the bench were left stunned that no penalty was given in Germany.
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The decision comes after Ceferin backed the Azzurri to get the job done and made it clear that he wanted to see them defend their title at the Euros. The UEFA chief told Italian media outlet LaPresse in the build-up to the game: "Italy must qualify for Euro 2024, otherwise it will be a disaster. The Italian national team is too important, but I think it will beat Ukraine."
The comments didn't sit well with Ukraine, whose national team continue to be fuelled by the atrocities facing people in the homeland amid the continued war with Russia. They narrowly missed out on qualification for the World Cup in Qatar and will now be observers for another major tournament.
Mykhailo Mudryk was scythed down in the area, but saw his appeals waved away (ViaPlay)Ukraine coach Sergi Rebrov confessed that Ceferin had angered his players with the comment, which served to further motivate them. "We're not interested in what [Ceferin] has to say. It's not our job to focus on such comments," he said. "But all that they can really do is have an impact on my players to make them more angry and motivated to qualify.
"I think we have a good chance. This game is different to the game in San Siro [when Italy won 2-1 in September]. It will be a full stadium supporting us. We played in Bremen recently and had big support, lots of Ukrainians. I am sure it will be the same here, a full stadium with our flags. It is going to be different.
"It is one thing to play against North Macedonia or Malta, with respect, but when we play England or Italy, it is different. This is a game when we have to show our face. We made lots of mistakes in Italy, but we understand our responsibility in this game and what we have to do."