Despite a not very flamboyant draw (1-1) conceded to Bulgaria in Florence on Thursday evening in the World Cup qualifiers, Roberto Mancini’s Italy has entered the history books. La Nazionale has indeed aligned a 35th game without defeat, equaling the record set by Spain between 2006 and 2009 and Brazil between 1993 and 1996. Opposed to Switzerland on Sunday, the Italians will even have the opportunity to win the match. erase tablets and enter the legend alone.
Crowned European champion on July 11 at Wembley ahead of England (5 wins and 2 draws converted to success on penalties in the half and then in the final), Squadra Azzurra has been undefeated since September 2018 and a loss during the phase of Nations League groups against Portugal (1-0). Since then, Donnarumma, Verratti (both holders on Thursday night) and their teammates have chained 27 wins and 7 draws until the Wembley final, and have never faltered even against opponents like Belgium, the Netherlands , Spain, Poland or England. By the way, Mancini exceeded the 30 meetings without defeat between 1935 and 1939 of Vittorio Pozzo, world champion coach in 1934 and 1938.
Spain began its series on February 7, 2007 with a victory (1-0) against England and it ended with a loss on June 24, 2009 against the United States (0-2) in semi-finals of the Confederations Cup. All with two different coaches, Luis Aragones and Vicente Del Bosque. In the middle, the Spaniards had won Euro 2008. They then won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. As for Brazil between December 1993 and January 1996, the series was therefore stopped at 35 matches. Italy can do better on Sunday.
