It was all going so easily for the Italy nationwide staff of their World Cup play-off closing in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina, however the Azzurri have been diminished to 10 males simply earlier than the interval after a careless last-ditch problem from Alessandro Bastoni.
Bosnia are internet hosting Italy on the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica as the 2 nations do battle for a spot on the .
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Italy diminished to 10 males in opposition to Bosnia and Herzegovina after Bastoni problem
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: The referee Clèment Turpin exhibits the pink card to Alessandro Bastoni of Italy throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photograph by Getty Photographs/Getty Photographs)
After a troubling first-half of their play-off semi-final in opposition to Northern Eire on Thursday, Italy seemed to have put their ghosts behind them in opposition to Bosnia as Kean struck with an excellent first-time end to ship Gennaro Gattuso’s aspect right into a Fifteenth-minute lead.
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Italy seemed like they have been on their technique to seeing the half out at 1-0, however they have been diminished to 10 males within the forty second minute when Bastoni lunged in for a last-man problem on Bosnia’s Amar Memic.
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s goal-kick was poor, and headed straight again into the Italy half, the place Memic appeared to be racing in on objective, albeit to the left of the centre of the pitch. Bastoni, the furthest Italy defender again, slid in and was promptly despatched off.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – SEPTEMBER 09: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy in motion throughout the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Israel and Italy at Bozsik Stadion on September 09, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photograph by Claudio Villa/Getty Photographs)
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In a worryingly unhealthy omen for Italy, referee was additionally in cost in opposition to North Macedonia again in 2018.
Bastoni turned the primary Italy participant to be despatched off in a World Cup qualifier for nearly a decade, relationship again to Giorgio Chiellini’s pink in opposition to Israel on September 5, 2016.
The Inter centre-back had already been a divisive determine in Italy within the weeks main as much as the World Cup play-off marketing campaign on account of his antics throughout the Derby d’Italia between the Nerazzurri and Juventus in February.
The Italy worldwide was dived, which resulted within the wrongful sending off of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, after which proceeded to passionately have a good time the choice to ship the opponent off. This led to widespread criticism, not simply from Juventus supporters, and there have been altogether.
The Nerazzurri defender has additionally been linked with a possible summer time transfer to Barcelona as soon as the 2025-26 season involves an finish.