{"id":1286,"date":"2026-04-01T09:23:56","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:23:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1286"},"modified":"2026-04-01T09:23:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T09:23:56","slug":"italian-media-lash-out-at-riccardo-calafiori-as-arsenal-star-outplayed-in-world-cup-agony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1286","title":{"rendered":"Italian media lash out at Riccardo Calafiori as Arsenal star &#8216;outplayed&#8217; in World Cup agony"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_1e9d73\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Italy have failed to qualify for World Cup 2026 after defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Arsenal ace Riccardo Calafiori was front and centre<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33694959\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Riccardo Calafiori of Italy inspects the pitch prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia &#038; Herzegovina and Italy\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2269264989.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2269264989.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2269264989.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694959.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2269264989.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori will not be present at the upcoming World Cup\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori will not be present at the upcoming World Cup<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori will not be at World Cup 2026 after Italy suffered a heartbreaking playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 23-year-old&#8217;s performance was picked apart by the Italian media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Italians last participated in a World Cup in 2014, having faced playoff agony before the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. However, they travelled to Zenica on Tuesday with strong hopes of qualifying for the next renewal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Ex-Everton striker Moise Kean bagged the opening goal after 15 minutes, but just before half-time, calamity struck when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for a last-man foul. Bosnia equalised in the 79th minute and eventually won via a penalty shootout.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calafiori could only watch on as two of his fellow players failed from the spot. But the Gunners star didn&#8217;t avoid being chastised by Italian media for his role in the defeat.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_7edf0a\">Corriere dello Sport<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The defender played every minute in the penalty loss on the left side of a back five. According to <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.corrieredellosport.it\/news\/calcio\/italia\/2026\/03\/31-147692555\/italia_nessun_alibi\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Corriere dello Sport<\/a> he was out of his depth even before Bastoni&#8217;s sending off.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Bastoni&#8217;s dismissal unfortunately just made things even worse, forcing us into eighty minutes of pure delirium,&#8221; it reported. &#8220;The usual, unbearable suffering (followed). A feeling that has become part of us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;They (Bosnia) overwhelmed us, made us feel awful, took our breath away. One after another, all our flaws, our lapses in concentration and athleticism, emerged. We were never aggressive. We suffered the desire and determination of a team that today I can&#8217;t consider inferior to ours.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33694958\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33694958\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Bosnia-Herzegovina's forward #20 Esmir Bajraktarevic (L) fights for the ball with Italy's defender #13 Riccardo Calafiori during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification final football match between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2268695980.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2268695980.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2268695980.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694958.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2268695980.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The defender was criticised for his performance\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The defender was criticised for his performance<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;(Gianluigi) Donnarumma kept us in the game on at least three occasions, so I wonder how players like (Federico) Dimarco and Calafiori could be outplayed in such an important match.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Qualification had become a matter of national dignity. Not being part of a tournament open to 48 nations is downright humiliating. Those who created the project, those who wanted and supported it, cannot tolerate this third failure. At home. Like us.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Everyone must assume their own responsibility. Even if the country, politics, and this non-system seem incapable of expressing anything good.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_7edf0a\">Corriere della Sera<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Another publication, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.corriere.it\/sport\/calcio\/mondiali\/cards\/pagelle-bosnia-italia\/bosnia-italia_principale.shtml?refresh_ce\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Corriere della Sera<\/a>aimed an almost backhanded compliment the way of Calafiori in their post-match analysis. A report read: &#8220;We can expect more (from Calafiori). Elegance isn&#8217;t enough.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The outlet&#8217;s frustrations were clear in another report, which claimed: &#8220;It&#8217;s happened again and it&#8217;s been three. Three World Cups in a row without Italy. In June, we&#8217;ll experience another one in front of the TV.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33694956\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33694956\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pio Esposito of Italy is consoled by teammate Riccardo Calafiori after he missed the team's first penalty in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia &#038; Herzegovina and Italy\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694956.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269288490.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694956.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2269288490.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694956.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2269288490.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33694956.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269288490.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Calafiori consoled his team-mate Pio Esposito after a penalty miss\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Calafiori consoled his team-mate Pio Esposito after a penalty miss<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Until then, trials, revolutions, and an oppressive sense of humiliation that will accompany us all summer. Little Bosnia is celebrating, we&#8217;re behind the blackboard.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Italy is the only national team with a star on its chest that won&#8217;t be going to Canada, Mexico, and the United States. We&#8217;re disappointed, bitter, angry. Worse, furious.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;A vertical decline in the extra-large World Cup, the first with 48 teams, bringing 32 to the second phase. We&#8217;re losing money and opportunities. Other sports are flying, football is dying. We will wake up in the night and struggle to swallow the sadness.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Get \u00a3250 to switch to Virgin Media&#8217;s sport packages<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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