Reported Arsenal and Newcastle United target Domenico Berardi has apologised to the Italy fans after he missed a host of chances in the World Cup qualifying defeat to North Macedonia, writing on Instagram.
If anyone understands the fickle nature of top-level football, it’s Berardi.
From the peaks of becoming the first player in Europe to hit double figures for goals and assists this season, scoring the 100th Serie A strike of his career earlier this month, to the troughs of arguably Italy’s most humiliating defeat since North Korea stunned the Nerazzuri at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium all the way back in 1966.
And it was the sight of Berardi, the £25 million-rated winger linked with summer moves to Premier League giants Arsenal and Newcastle, scuffing a glorious first-half chance at the North Macedonia goalkeeper that will haunt Roberto Mancini’s dreams as Italy – European Champions Italy no less – face up to the prospect of watching a second World Cup in a row from the comfort of their own sofas (CM and Chronicle).
No one on the pitch had more shots on goal than Berardi’s eight. But that first half sitter, when the 25-year-old let Stole Dimitrievski off the hook with an open net at his mercy, would sum up his – and Italy’s – night.
A night of near misses. A night of recriminations, regret and what-couldve-beens.
What next for Roberto Mancini and Italy?
“With a cold mind, it hurts even more,” says Berardi, who received a 4/10 match rating by Italian publication Tuttomercatoweb.
“The dream of all of us Italians has come to an end in the worst possible way. Whether you want to believe it or not, we really (tried) a lot. We tried in every way but it wasn’t enough.
“It was the goal of the whole group to go to the World Cup. For many of us, it was the first time to play in the most beautiful cup for our country.
“It was our responsibility to take you to the World Cup and have a wonderful adventure all together like the one we had last summer. We had to and could have given more. What makes us most angry is that we are not like this.
“There are not many things to add. Except, we’re sorry for this disappointment. We will work to make you dream again. Together. United. Azzurri.”
Remarkably, Italy have not played a knockout game in the World Cup since they won the bloody thing, beating France on penalties back in 2006.
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