Italy manager Roberto Mancini was left speechless after his team’s shocking 1-0 loss to North Macedonia, which saw the Azzurri eliminated from the World Cup for the second time in a row.
As Italy were frustrated for 90 minutes by North Macedonia’s heroic defensive performance, Aleksandar Trajkovski scored the only goal of the game in the second minute of stoppage time, inflicting Italy’s first defeat in 60 World Cup home qualifiers.
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A victory in Palermo means that North Macedonia, 60 places below four-time world cup champions Italy in the FIFA rankings, will now face Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo in the play-off final on Tuesday, with a place in Qatar at stake.
“Now it’s hard to say something, I don’t know what to say,” Mancini told reporters.
It’s also a shock for Italy after winning the postponed 2020 European Championship against England at Wembley last summer.
“Last summer was the most beautiful joy, now comes the greatest disappointment. It is not easy to think about other things, I am very sorry for the boys: I love them much more today than in July.
“I am a coach, I am the first responsible, no guys. They have a great future, they are strong players for the future of the national team. We didn’t deserve this defeat.”
Italy had 32 shots on goal against North Macedonia’s five, but that doesn’t mean the away goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski has had the game of his life. He had no difficult saves and the home team did not score due to their own extravagance.
“I am proud of my teammates, we are all shattered and broken, but we need to start again,” said Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini. – While it is difficult to talk about it, it will remain a big hole.
“I hope the coach stays because this team needs him. Now we have to get back to winning, reach the Euros and four years later return to this blessed World Cup.”
Missed opportunities were ultimately the story of the Azzurri campaign, with Mancini’s team only reaching the play-offs after Jorginho missed a penalty against Switzerland last year, which would have given them the win and automatic qualification.
“It’s a huge disappointment,” Jorginho told Italian publication Rai Sport after Thursday’s loss. “It hurts, it hurts a lot.
“We have always created and dominated matches, but we were not able to finish the teams. It’s not anyone’s fault, but that’s the reality.”
“I don’t know why we couldn’t do it, I’m in it too and it hurts to think about it.”
North Macedonia coach Blagoja Milevsky saw the irony in their last gasp victory.
“We beat the Italians the Italian way with two goals on target,” he told reporters. “I am very happy with this victory, I am proud of these guys.”
Information from Reuters was used in this report.