With an absolute advantage, Italy was eliminated in the first round of the World Preliminary Play-offs. Italy bombarded indiscriminately without scoring, and North Macedonia scored a lore world wave in the 90th and 2nd minutes. The Italian striker was widely criticized, with the media and fans questioning Mancini’s decision not to call up Balotelli. In an interview with Sky Sports Italia, Balotelli spoke about his thoughts.
“I feel very sad, the problem is not the opponent, but the failure to qualify for the World Cup,” Balotelli said. “The World Cup started in December this year, I had the opportunity to participate, the door was not always closed to me, I had the opportunity to prove I got into the Italian team. I lost an important opportunity when I got out of the Italian team. Anyway, it hurts to see Italy not qualifying for the World Cup.”
Balotelli regrets being forgotten: “I’m only remembered when I lose… It seems easy to say these things now, but no one thinks of me before the game. I watched the team’s game and we didn’t have the chance to score. Less. I’m a good goalkeeper, if I play, I can score goals. But I’m not saying that as long as I play, I will definitely win.”
Balotelli is not dissatisfied with Mancini who did not recruit himself: “I haven’t sent him a message yet, but I have always liked him and I am happy that he can stay. It was during his time in charge of Italy. Inside, the team won the European Cup. Of course people will be disappointed because they missed the World Cup, they will suffer because they can’t go to Qatar. But we must not forget that it was the manager who made the team a huge success in a short period of time. Mancini Well done, he deserves to continue coaching the Italian team and I’m very happy that he will stay.”
(Ding Wu)Return to Sohu, see more
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