Jorginho missed his last two penalties for Italy and it’s reported Domenico Berardi will be first choice tonight if there’s a spot-kick against North Macedonia, although that didn’t help them last time.
The Azzurri would already be qualified for the 2022 World Cup by now if not for two very costly Jorginho errors from the spot.
Those draws home and away against Switzerland, particularly one fired off target in stoppages, left Italy in second place in their group.
They therefore have to go through the play-offs, facing North Macedonia this evening in Palermo, then either Portugal or Turkey in a potential Final.
Although Roberto Mancini defended Jorginho in his press conference yesterday, he did not specifically say the Chelsea midfielder would still be first choice in case of a spot-kick.
He only said: “if there’s a penalty, we will take it.”
According to La Repubblica, Mancini has informed the squad that Berardi is the penalty taker for tonight.
It is also suggested that the Sassuolo forward was meant to be the taker against Switzerland in Rome too, but Jorginho had taken the ball and wanted the opportunity to make up for his earlier error.
Berardi has failed to convert seven of his total 48 career attempts at club and international level, denied only once since December 2019, by Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon in May 2021.
There is also the concern of a potential penalty shoot-out if the game goes to extra time and is still on level terms.
Italia-Macedonia del Nord, Mancini ha scelto: se c’è un rigore tocca a Berardi [di Matteo Pinci] https://t.co/UyWoYIeWS1
— Repubblica (@repubblica) March 24, 2022
Jorginho only player why we or cr7 will not play in world cup, disguisting