ITALY'S WORLD CUP NIGHTMARE DEEPENS WITH SHOOT-OUT DEFEAT WITH BOSNIA

Italy will miss a third straight World Cup after losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a qualification play-off final on Tuesday, falling 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out. Esmir Bajraktarevic scored the decisive spot-kick in Zenica, sending Bosnia into Group B and extending Italy’s qualifying misery.

Bosnia reached their second World Cup finals, and first since 2014, in front of a passionate crowd which invaded the pitch after a historic victory © Elvis BARUKCIC, AFP

Italy will miss out on a third straight World Cup after falling to Bosnia and Hercegovina in Tuesday's breathless qualification play-off final, the Azzurri blowing their chance to reach this summer's tournament in North America with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out defeat.

Esmir Bajraktarevic shot the winning spot-kick in Zenica where the Bosnians booked a place in Group B and matches against co-hosts Canada, Switzerland and Qatar, and plunged Italy into a new nightmare.

Four-time world champions, Italy took the lead through Moise Kean in the 15th minute but then folded under the weight of expectation at the Bilino Polje Stadium after having to play most of the match with 10 men.

Italy were already firmly on the back foot when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for chopping down Amar Memic four minutes before half-time, and Haris Tabakovic poked home Bosnia's deserved leveller in the 79th minute to take the match to extra time.

And the horror show continued in the subsequent shoot-out, with Pio Esposito smashing Italy's first penalty over the goal, and when Bryan Cristante hit the bar and Bajraktarevic squeezed his effort under Gianluigi Donnarumma, the game was up.

"I don't think the boys deserved to suffer such a blow, for the performance, the effort and the heart that they showed tonight... I'm proud of the boys," said a visibly shaken Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso.

"It's difficult to digest."

Gattuso added that talking about his future "wasn't important" but Gabriele Gravina, the head of the Italian Football Federation, later told reporters he had asked Gattuso to stay on as coach and he would not being resigning from his position.

Italy are the first World Cup winners to miss three consecutive editions of the tournament, and it was also a third straight elimination in the play-offs after Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia four years ago.

Bosnia meanwhile reached their second World Cup finals, and first since 2014, in front of a passionate crowd which invaded the pitch after a historic victory.

"They're guys with character. We have guys we're proud of," said Bosnia coach Sergej Barbarez.

"I've told them that we have to go to a tournament every two years."

Some Italy players were filmed celebrating when Bosnia won their semi-final -- again on penalties -- against Wales, behaviour which looked even more foolish after the way Bosnia tore into their opponents.

Sorry Italy 

Italy looked nervy in the opening exchanges but were given a helping hand in opening the scoring by Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj, who under pressure from Mateo Retegui passed the ball straight to Nicolo Barella.

The Inter Milan midfielder offloaded to Kean who confidently curled home his eighth goal in six international appearances from the edge of the penalty area.

Bosnia reacted well to going behind, continuing to harry Italy and force mistakes on a bobbly pitch, and Ermedin Demirovic glanced a header inches wide in the 38th minute.

And the already rowdy home fans smelled blood when Bastoni was given his marching orders for his horrendous challenge, the Inter defender arriving late on Memic and giving referee Clement Turpin no choice but to show him a straight red card.

A man down and with a slender lead to protect, Gattuso brought on Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti for Retegui and set his team up to soak up the waves of Bosnia pressure which came after the break.

Donnarumma had to be alert to punch away Kerim Alajbegovic's powerful drive in the 52nd minute, but Kean wasted a golden chance to double Italy's lead on the hour mark when he pounced on Memic's sloppy pass and charged towards goal only to smash his shot over the bar.

And after Esposito and Dimarco failed to make the most of presentable shooting opportunities, substitute Tabakovic sparked wild celebrations after Edin Dzeko's header was clawed off the line by Donnarumma.

Another superb Donnarumma save from Demirovic's header kept Italy level and extra time was equally tense, with the Italians furious that Tarik Muharemovic was not sent off for taking out Marco Palestra as the Cagliari defender burst towards goal.

But that won't be much of an excuse after another sorry effort to reach the World Cup ended in dismal fashion in the shoot-out.']

- FRANCE 24 with AFP

MANCHESTER UNITED TARGET SPEAKS OUT ON FUTURE AHEAD OF RELEASE CLAUSE DEADLINE

Moise Kean had a brilliant last season with Fiorentina (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United target Moise Kean has suggested his immediate future lies with Fiorentina, with Tuesday a pivotal day in his career.

The Italy international was in fine form for Fiorentina last season , scoring 19 Serie A goals and 25 in all competitions.

He joined La Viola last year after a poor run at Juventus, but his career has returned to an upward trajectory in Florence, with only Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui (25) out-scoring him in Serie A.

Unsurprisingly the 25-year-old’s form has attracted attention, with Manchester United thought to be interested in signing Kean this summer.

Interest is particularly high as a release clause in the striker’s contract with Fiorentina means he is available for a fee of €52million (£44.5m) between July 1-15.

It is hardly pocket change, but could prove to be great value in today’s transfer market.

Kean has spoken out on his future ahead of that release clause expiring on Tuesday and it sounds like he is very happy at Fiorentina and not looking to leave.

Speaking at an event to unveil manager Stefano Pioli on his return to the club, Kean said: ‘I’m very motivated to move forward. Fiorentina has given me so much and has always supported me.

‘Now it’s important to return with renewed motivation and give my best for Fiorentina.’

That is not to say that clubs will not attempt a late move for the Italian before his release clause deadline, but the player does not appear to be pushing for a move.

A return to the Premier League now looks unlikely this summer, with Kean having a forgettable spell at Everton from 2019-21.

Moise Kean in the Premier League

Kean signed for Everton from Juventus in August 2019 for an initial £25.1m, before returning to the Turin club two years later.

His stint in England was underwhelming to say the least.

Apps: 32

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

Moise Kean during his Everton stint in 2020 (Picture: Getty Images)

Manchester United continue to look for a new striker, with their pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo continuing but dragging somewhat.

Two bids have been rejected by the Bees and a third is expected, but the player is reportedly frustrated with how long the process is taking.

The Cameroon international remains keen on the switch to Old Trafford and he is the Red Devils’ number one target, but negotiations have been slow.

- Phil Haigh

ATALANTA CIVIL WAR: ADEMOLA LOOKMAN SLAMS 'DEEPLY DISRESPECTFUL' MANAGER IN LENGTHY STATEMENT AFTER HE CALLED HIM 'ONE OF THE WORST PENALTY TAKERS' EVER SEEN

Ademola Lookman has  labelled his manager Gian Piero Gasperini's comments 'deeply disrespectful' and 'hurtful'

• Atalanta suffered shock Champions league play-off round defeat by Club Brugge

• Lookman scored against the Belgian side before missing a spot kick in the loss

• LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! Does Ruben Amorim come under pressure at Manchester United this season? 

Atalanta striker Ademola Lookman has slammed his own manager for describing him as 'one of the worst penalty takers' he had ever seen after the side's shock Champions League exit. 

The reigning African Footballer of the Year, who was the match winner for the Bergamo club in last season's Europa League final, labelled Gian Piero Gasperini's comments as 'deeply disrespectful' and 'hurtful'.

Belgian side Club Brugge stunned Atalanta 3-1 in the second leg of their play-off tie to dump the Italian side out with a 5-2 aggregate win and reach the last 16.

Lookman pulled back one goal for Atalanta when they were 3-0 down. But the Nigerian, who has scored 15 times this season, had a penalty saved as they crashed out, after which Gasperini said Lookman was not supposed to take the penalty.

In response to the shock comments, which have plunged the club into civil war, Lookman said Gasperini had been 'deeply disrespectful'. 

'Being singled out in the manner I have been not only hurts but feels deeply disrespectful, not least because of the immense hard work and commitment I have always put in each and every day to help bring success to this club and to the incredible fans of Bergamo,' Lookman wrote on Instagram.

'In truth, I have dealt with many difficult moments during my time here - the majority of which I have never spoken about because in my opinion the team must always be protected and must come first. 

'This makes what happened last night even more hurtful. Along with our incredible fans, we as a team are hurting too with last night's result.

'During the match the designated penalty taker instructed me to take the penalty; and to support the team I took responsibility in the moment to do so. 

'Life's about challenges and turning pain into power which I'll continue to do.'

Gasperini said Lookman has a 'terrible record even in training', adding that Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere were better options to take the spot kick.

'Lookman is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen,' said the veteran manager.

'He wanted to take the penalty after scoring a goal, he took the ball despite (Mateo) Retegui and (Charles) De Keteleare available to take it… I didn’t like what Lookman did.

'Lookman wasn't supposed to take the penalty. Even in training he doesn’t have a good rate of scoring from the spot.' 

Retegui is Atalanta's regular penalty taker, having converted two of his three spot-kicks in Serie A this campaign, but Lookman has also taken and scored one. 

Lookman was Atalanta's hero last season when they won the Europa League, netting a hat-trick in the final when they beat Bayer Leverkusen who had been undefeated all season.

Atalanta's next match is a trip to Empoli in Serie A on Sunday. It remains to be seen whether Lookman, a former Leicester and Fulham star, will be included in the squad following the public fallout with his manager.

- ROHITH NAIR, REUTERS and TUM BALOGUN

NAPOLI SURVIVE SERIE A CLASH AGAINST ATALANTA WITH 3-2 WIN

 

ANKARA

Napoli survived an Italian Serie A week 21 clash against Atalanta with a 3-2 win Saturday.

Italian forward Mateo Retegui scored the first goal for the hosts in the 16th minute at Atalanta's Gewiss Stadium.

Italian winger Matteo Politano responded in kind in the 27th minute.

Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay brought the lead to Napoli in the 40th minute.

Atalanta's Nigerian attacker Ademola Lookman equalized in the 55th minute.

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku tallied the winning goal for Napoli in the 78th minute.

Napoli cemented their top seat with 50 points, while Atalanta are in the third spot with 43 points.

- Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

RAYA HEROICS HELP ARSENAL CLAIM A DRAW AT ATALANTA IN UCL OPENER

David Raya's superb double save helped Arsenal get a draw at Atalanta.

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya secured his side a hard-earned point with a sensational double save in a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in their Champions League opener on Thursday.

Spaniard Raya dived low to his right to beat out Mateo Retegui's spot kick in the 51st minute then sprang across his goal to claw away the forward's follow up header.

It was a gritty display by Mikel Arteta's side who soaked up home pressure inside a raucous Stadio di Bergamo and occasionally looked dangerous at the other end.

The closest Arsenal came to scoring was a first-half free kick by Bukayo Saka that was saved well by Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi while Gabriel Martinelli blasted over the crossbar in a rare Arsenal attack after the break.

Arsenal, without injured skipper Martin Ødegaard, were not at their best but made sure they returned to London with a point in the bag thanks to the exploits of Raya.

Atalanta were handed the chance to go ahead when Thomas Partey tangled with Ederson on the edge of the area and the referee Clement Turpin pointed to the spot.

After a lengthy VAR check, Retegui eventually took the kick but after a stuttering run, his low shot was read by Raya who then showed elastic-like agility to make the double-save.

"It was a very difficult game but I think we also made it difficult for them, Raya said.

"A point away from home in the first Champions League game, we could have played a bit better but if you can't win the game then don't lose it."

Of his penalty save, he added: "I was lucky to go the right way and unlucky that the rebound fell to him, but I was quick enough to get up and save it. Fantastic to keep a clean sheet."

It was the first ever clash between the sides with Atalanta having qualified for the competition by finishing fourth in Serie A last season, while they also won the Europa League.

While Atalanta will be frustrated at not beginning with a notable victory, Gian Piero Gasperini's side showed that they will be a tough nut to crack in the group phase.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

- ESPN News Services