Italy shock, third psychodrama: Bosnia eliminates us on penalties, World Cup remains taboo

Italy is out of the World Cup again, for the third consecutive edition. Gennaro Gattuso’s team lost in Zenica on penalties against Bosnia, shattering the Azzurri’s dream of returning to the rainbow review 12 years after the last time. Leading with Moise Kean in the first half, the national team is penalized by Bastoni’s expulsion in the final of the first half: in the second half it suffers the 1-1 and on penalties comes the great disappointment, the umpteenth.

Hot atmosphere in the stands and on the field, Bosnia does not close at all and in the beginning creates chances with Demirovic and Memic. At 15′, Italy takes the lead thanks to a gift from the hosts: goalkeeper Vasilj makes a mistake in setting up and serves Barella, who immediately triggers Moise Kean, who is good at making the most of the opportunity by scoring first with an inside-right shot.

The match seems to be going downhill for the Azzurri, but the disadvantage does not send Bosnia into confusion, which continues to create dangers on the wings. Gattuso’s team, on the other hand, struggles to make itself dangerous, has only one chance Retegui, well defused by the opposing goalkeeper. At 41′ the turning point: Memic eludes the blue defense and Bastoni knocks him down on the edge of the area. Referee Turpin has no doubts and sends off the Inter defender, leaving Italy with 10 men.

The Zenica stadium turns into a bowl, Bosnia attacks ours and creates several chances before halftime with Katic and Memic. Gattuso runs for cover: first he inserts Gatti for a forward, Retegui, then replaces Politano with Palestra.

In the second half, Bosnia continues to attack and crushes the Azzurri, newcomer Alajbegovic drives Gattuso’s defense crazy. Italy grits its teeth and suffers: in 60′ it has a flash thanks to Kean, who on a counterattack runs towards Vasilj’s goal but then kicks high just inside the box. In 73′ Donnarumma makes a great save on Tahirovic’s close-range finish.

Gattuso changes: Pio Esposito comes in for Kean, then Cristante on for Locatelli. The substitutions give new life to the Azzurri: Esposito at 74′ has a great chance on an assist from Palestra, but is inaccurate. A few minutes later it’s Dimarco who scares Bosnia with a left-footed shot.

At 79′ the ice shower for the national team: on a cross from the right, Dzeko hits a header, Donnarumma makes a great save but on the rebound the quickest of all is Tabakovic who makes it 1-1. Bilino Polje stadium becomes bedlam, Italy goes into pain and Dedic comes close to 2-1 in the 84th minute, Donnarumma saves everything again in the 87th minute on Demirovic’s conclusion. It goes to extra time.

In extra time Gattuso immediately spends the change by inserting Spinazzola for Dimarco. Bosnia kept the ball of the game, while Italy went in flashes: on 103′ Palestra on a counterattack was knocked out of the area by Muharemovic; Turpin cautioned the Bosnian, while the Azzurri wanted red. On the ensuing free kick, Tonali hits the barrier.

One minute later Vasilj performs a miracle on Pio Esposito’s header, served by Palestra. In 108′ another chance for the Inter striker, triggered by Spinazzola, Muharemovic manages to deflect into a corner on the drop. Very tense last minutes, but there are no more chances: it goes to penalties.

From the penalty spot fatal mistakes by Pio Esposito and Cristante (crossbar): we are out of the soccer that counts again.