North Macedonia mocked the Azzurri: a shot and a goal. But that was enough to end up in the abyss
PALERMO. The incredible happened. Italy made a splash: out of the World Cup for the second consecutive time and in the worst way, losing at home to North Macedonia 1-0. After the long dominance of Italy, goals in the final minutes of the Balkans and farewell to the world for the second consecutive time. Italy has once again laid bare the limits that have emerged in recent games: asphyxiated attack and useless ball possession.
Coach Roberto Mancini tried to shake up the team, in the second half he made numerous changes by inserting forward Raspadori and then Joao Pedro, on his debut in the blue jersey. Everything useless. The magic of Wembley last summer has vanished. Macedonia will face Portugal on Monday, who won 3-1 against Turkey, for 1st place in the World Cup in Qatar. We will just have to sit in the armchair and watch the others. (en.g.)
ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Florenzi, Mancini (44 ‘st Chiellini), Bastoni, Emerson, Barella (32’ st Tonali), Jorginho, Verratti, Berardi (44 ‘st Joao Pedro), Immobile (32’ st Pellegrini), Insigne (19 ‘st Raspadori) (1 Sirigu, 14 Cragno, 2 De Sciglio, 15 Acerbi, 5 Cristante, 12 Pessina, 20 Politano). Herds Mancini
MACEDONIA DEL NORD (4-4-2): Dimitrievski, S. Rivstoski, Velkovski (41 ‘st Ristevski), Musliu, Alioski, Churlinov, Ademi (14’ st Spirovski), Bardi, Nikolov (14 ‘st Ashkovski), M. Ristovski (27 ‘st Miovski), Trajkovski (12 Naumovski, 22 Siskovski, 15 Sherafimov, 2 Todorovski, 7 D. Babuski, 17 Ethemi, 18 Babuski, 21 Atanasov). All. Milevski
Referee: Turpin (Fra)
Networks: in the 47 ‘Trajkovski st
Note. Corners: 17 to 0 for Italy Recovery: 1 ‘and 5’. Velkovski booked for foul play. 34,129 spectators, for a collection of 450 thousand euros.