Italy have failed to qualify for successive World Cups after North Macedonia stunned the Euro 2020 champions, with reported Arsenal transfer target Domenico Berardi slammed.
Roberto Mancini’s men faced a win-or-bust play-off semi-final with North Macedonia on Thursday night. But despite the Azzurri commanding proceedings and playing in complete control, Aleksandar Trajkovski fired a shock winner for Lynxes at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Trajkovski picked up a loose ball and drove forward in the second minute of stoppage-time before beating Gianluigi Donnarumma. They now face Portugal on Tuesday in the final for a place in Qatar, while the Azzurri’s last World Cup knockout match remains the 2006 final.
Berardi enjoyed an early chance to put Italy ahead against North Macedonia, having often emerged as their most dangerous player. But Visar Musliu blocked the Sassuolo forward’s volley, and Berardi soon failed to get a shot out in time when Stole Dimitrievski left his net.
Dimitrievski completely gifted Berardi the ball and with an empty net to aim at during the first-half. But the 27-year-old struggling to bring the ball under control to shoot let North Macedonia scramble and reset in time. A theme that plighted the 24-cap dynamo all night.
Arsenal target Berardi slammed for ‘total lack of clarity’ in 4/10 Italy shocker
Berardi’s wasteful efforts for Italy against North Macedonia was far from the form he has shown with Sassuolo so far this season that has Arsenal plotting a transfer. Calciomercato report the Gunners are keen to sign the winger, who has 14 goals and 14 assists in Serie A.
The Neroverdi have promised the Cariati-born maestro of his exit for bids of €30m (£25m), as well, per Stefano Aravecchia. But his form on Thursday night – when hauled off after 89 minutes – only drew a mere 4/10 match rating from Italian publication TuttoMercatoWEB.
“Shy, then imprecise,” TMW wrote. “In the first 63 minutes, the Azzurri’s most sensational occasions happen on his feet. But the clarity he shows every Sunday with the Sassuolo shirt, tonight has left room for a total lack of clarity. He is not the only one, unfortunately.”
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