Ahead of the Euros 2020 tournament, Northern Ireland coach Ian Baraclough has expressed a belief that Italy can emerge as the tournament winner.

The coach, who further revealed that he usually went to the stadium to watch Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City, is speaking ahead of the meeting with the Azurris in the World Cup qualifiers slated for today.

The former Northern Ireland under-21 coach will now have to think of how he can defeat Roberto Mancini’s men in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers.

Having qualified for the last European Nations Cup, Baraclough hopes to make history for the country by qualifying for the World Cup.  While noting that country has talented and ambitious players, Baraclough said coaching the senior team was an enormous privilege.

Speaking with La Gazzetta Dello Sport ahead of the tie, Baraclough is excited to build on his success, having gathered significant experience with the under 21. He added that he had been allowed to build a new group of players based on a young and experienced mix.

While noting that Northern Ireland is a small country with many talented players, the coach said the lads are not afraid of complex challenges.

Confessing his likeness for Italian football, the coach said he followed the games on TV in England back in the 90s.

While lauding Mancini for doing an excellent job with the team, he rated Italy as parts of favourite for the Euro 2020, adding that they will also be among the contenders If they qualify for the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain forward Moise Kean has been released from Italy camp due to a muscle injury.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the 21-year-old, who has 11 goals in 20 Ligue 1 games with the Ligue a giant, will not participate in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as he returns to France to begin his recovery.

He has played eight games for the Azzurri so far, scoring two goals in the process.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed