Learn Italian: Magari avessimo l'opportunità di cambiare il passato! - If only we had the opportunity to change the past!

When magari is followed by a verb in the imperfect subjunctive (like avessimo), it changes from meaning "maybe" to expressing a strong, unfulfilled wish. This combination is the standard way to say "if only" or "I wish" in Italian.

Why is the imperfect subjunctive (avessimo) used here to talk about a wish we have right now?

Even though it is called a past tense, the imperfect subjunctive is used to describe hypothetical or imaginary situations in the present. Saying magari avessimo means "if only we had it right now" (with the clear understanding that we actually do not).

Why is the preposition di used between l'opportunità and cambiare?

When a noun is followed by an infinitive verb to explain what the noun is for, Italian links them with di. Just like you say ho bisogno di dormire (I have need to sleep), you say l'opportunità di cambiare (the opportunity to change).

There is no word for "we" in the Italian sentence. How do we know who is wishing?

The verb ending does the work. Avessimo is the noi (we) form of the imperfect subjunctive. Because the verb form is unique to noi, the pronoun is completely optional and usually dropped to sound more natural.