The Azzurri have failed to qualify for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup after losing 1-0 to North Macedonia in the play-off in Palermo on Thursday.
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Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini felt his side “made mistakes from September to now and paid for them” after the 1-0 loss to North Macedonia in the World Cup play-off in Palermo on Thursday. The Azzurri have failed to qualify for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup. Aleksandar Trakjowski struck the winner in stoppages to take North Macedonia through to the final of the play-off where they will face Portugal for a place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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#WCQ play-offs ?
⏱ FT – All over.#ITAMKD 0⃣-1⃣#Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/LdgaBxEpjw
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 24, 2022
Roberto Mancini’s side dominated the proceedings throughout the 90 minutes, creating more than 30 chances but the visitors managed to score the winner against the run of play from only their fourth chance created in the game. Italy won the EURO 2020 title, yet failed to qualify for the second consecutive World Cup.
“It’s difficult to explain, I think we again had a good game and just didn’t score the goal. I don’t think anyone can say we were presumptuous,” Chiellini told RAI Sport.
Four-time World Champions Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after losing to Sweden in the playoffs. It was the first time the Azzurri had missed the World Cup since 1958.
It has to be said that the Azzurri didn’t learn from their mistakes. After the EURO 2020 triumph, Mancini’s side surprisingly went on to finish runner-up to Switzerland in the World Cup qualifying group, forcing them to play the play-offs.
“We made mistakes from September to now and paid for them. I am proud of my teammates and this group, clearly we are distraught, we have to get restart.
“A large void is now within us and we hope it can give us the strength to go forward in future. I hope it will still be with this coach, who has given so much to the Nazionale. Hopefully we can then play in the World Cup in four years’ time, having unfortunately missed out.”
Italy have only themselves to blame for not taking their chances while the visitors defended pretty well to keep a clean sheet and hit them on the counter.
“It’s not like we didn’t create the chances, we had 32 shots on goal. We barely risked anything at the back either. Maybe it’s difficult for us to read the situation from so close, but the lads gave their all and we hoped for a different result.”
Chiellini was asked if this was his final game in the Italy jersey.
“I think we need to play the next, then we’ll see. This is not the time for this.”
