We will also see the Qatar 2022 World Cup with that insane detachment we were not used to, but little by little we are getting used to it: Italy loses the Palermo Playoff semifinal with North Macedonia 0-1 , failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second consecutive time, a circumstance that has never occurred in history. The decisive goal of the former Palermitan Trajkovski in the 92nd minute, in one of the rare actions carried out by the Balkans in a match that saw Mancini’s men dominate in terms of ball possession but in a rather inconclusive way.
Twelve years (at least) without the World Cup
North Macedonia on Tuesday 29 March will now face Portugal who beat Turkey 3-1. Even on the eve of Russia 2018 we had lost the decisive play-off with Sweden, but this time it has a different flavor because Italy is still back from the Euro 2020 triumph. An euphoria that has certainly not done well, in terms of the approach with the World Cup qualifying matches. Now the appointment is for 2026 when the World Cup will be played in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Qualifications permitting … The coach Mancini has decided to field Gianluca Mancini in the center of the defense alongside Bastoni, with Chiellini on the bench. For the rest, all confirmed in the blue formation: Donnarumma in goal; Florenzi and Emerson externals; in midfield the trio made up of Barella, Jorginho and Verratti; in attack the trident Berardi, Immobile (captain for him) and Insigne. Great enthusiasm in the stands of the «Renzo Barbera», where 34 thousand spectators did not let the Azzurri lack their warmth. It was the first match in Italy that was played with 100% capacity in the stadium since the beginning of Covid now two years ago.
Italy unrealistic and inconclusive
Azzurri immediately aggressive in the Macedonian half, after just two minutes the first attempt was made by Emerson from the edge with a lopsided right high on the crossbar. The plot of the match is as expected: Italy on the attack and mistress of the field, Macedonia closed in defense and ready to restart on the counterattack. Finding spaces, however, is not easy because the host training gives little. The ball is always in the feet of the blues, but you have to wait for half an hour for the first real chance with Berardi who doesn’t take advantage of Dimitrievski’s wrong postponement and kicks weakly into the unguarded goal allowing the goalkeeper to remedy. Immediately after the first attempt at Immobile, with a left footed shot deflected for a corner. Then it is Insigne’s turn who engages the goalkeeper with a poisonous right-footed shot from distance. So on a convulsive action in the Macedonian area, Immobile asks for a penalty for an alleged deviation of the hand of a defender. The referee and the Var let it go on. Before the interval, a thrill for the Azzurri, with Macedonia dangerous on the counterattack with Trajkovski. Donnarumma is attentive.
The joke in extremis
In the second half Italy begins to attack again, but continues to lack precision in the last pass when it reaches the edge of the opponent’s area. The first noteworthy conclusion is by Berardi, a left from twenty meters saved by the goalkeeper. The Sassuolo striker tries again shortly after, more or less from the same position, this time the ball comes out just wide. Berardi still has a good chance a few minutes later, his right-footed shot from central position ends up high. The goal for the blue striker seems haunted, who also has a fourth chance to hit the mark but wastes it by kicking to the left side. After just over an hour of play, Mancini removes an anonymous Insigne and inserts Raspadori. The Azzurri insist, Bastoni and Mancini try to head on a corner. No way. A quarter of an hour from the end Immobile and Barella come out, unrecognizable, inside Pellegrini and Tonali with Raspadori moving to the center of the attack. In the final forcing, Italy still close to scoring with the newly entered Pellegrini who, a stone’s throw from Dimitrievski, tries an unlikely tirocross instead of shooting on goal. When extra time seemed inevitable, in the 92nd minute came the incredible insult with Tarjkovski’s goal that sent Macedonia to the final against Portugal. Joao Pedro’s last chance a few seconds from the end only makes the night in Palermo more bitter.