On the disastrous pitch of the Tose Proeski Arena, facing a determined and offensive North Macedonian team, which had been the executioner of the Nazionale during the last play-offs for the 2022 World Cup, Italy caught its feet in a trap match model (1-1). Enis Bardhi responded to Ciro Immobile in the second half. If it still has one game less, Italy, third in Group C three points behind Ukraine (2nd), is under pressure in these qualifications for Euro 2024.
The meeting was lively and pleasant. Italy immediately tried to get their foot on the ball (80% possession at half-time) and dictate the tempo of the match. Tonali found the post with a low shot (21st) and Dimitrievski used the corner that followed to deflect Cristante’s attempt (22nd).
A domination rewarded upon returning from the locker room thanks to captain Ciro Immobile, an opportunistic scorer with a header on a volley from Barella which bounced off the bar (0-1, 47th). Not enough to knock out North Macedonia, who then took the match into their own hands.
Offensive and playful, more in control of possession of the ball, the Macedonians first proved dangerous through Elmas, whose full-axis attempt from 18 meters flirted with Donnarumma’s top corner (67th). The equalizer will come a quarter of an hour later. Trabzonspor attacking midfielder Enis Bardhi wrapped up a superb free kick at the entrance to the Italian area, finishing his run into the opposite net (1-1, 81st).
In the race to qualify for Euro 2024, Italy drops two points and already finds itself obliged to achieve a result next Tuesday at San Siro against Ukraine (8:45 p.m.), second in Group C with three points ahead. Earlier in the day, the latter won a draw against the English (1-1).
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