Ciro Immobile scored the first goal of the Luciano Spalletti era, but a ferocious Enis Bardhi free kick means Italy only scraped a point in North Macedonia.
The Azzurri opened a new era after Roberto Mancini’s sudden resignation on August 13, as Spalletti introduced a 4-3-3 formation, losing Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini to injury. It was an increasingly tight group after Ukraine held leaders England 1-1, as the Nazionale started with three points from two matches. North Macedonia beat Italy 1-0 in stoppages in March 2022 to block qualification for the World Cup.
Nicolò Barella had the ball in the net at the third minute, but only after he strayed offside on the Giovanni Di Lorenzo pass.
Federico Dimarco completed a give and go with Barella to forced a desperate scramble in the six-yard box, then Bryan Cristante’s glancing header from a corner flashed just wide.
However, the hosts had a huge chance too when Ezgjan Alioski robbed Matteo Politano to whip in a cross for the Bojan Miovski diving header wide of the far post.
Sandro Tonali was unlucky not to open the scoring when he sprung the offside trap on an inspired Immobile ball over the top, the low drive beat the goalkeeper only to smack against the base of the upright.
Cristante’s volley from a Dimarco corner was parried by the goalkeeper’s legs and Gianluigi Donnarumma smothered the Eljif Elmas snapshot.
Immobile pulled back from the by-line for Matteo Politano to sweep from 10 yards, but it was deflected off Alioski’s heel.
Nicolò Zaniolo replaced Politano and Italy broke the deadlock at the dawn of the second half. A poor clearance fell to Barella, whose volley from inside the area smacked against the crossbar, with Immobile ready to turn in the rebound.
The state of the turf did not help Gianluca Mancini, who limped off clutching the top of his thigh and made way for Giorgio Scalvini.
Zaniolo combined with Immobile to see a shot charged down in the box, then Scalvini made a crucial block after the strong Eljif Elmas run, but could only watch as the Napoli winger bent a great shot inches wide of the far post.
Italy gave away a couple of free kicks right on the edge of the area and one proved costly, because Enis Bardhi hit a rocket into the far top corner that gave Gianluigi Donnarumma little chance.
The Azzurri poured forward, but with no real sense of purpose and only Scalvini fired straight at the goalkeeper from distance.
North Macedonia 1-1 Italy
Immobile 47 (I), Bardhi 81 (NM)
09-09-2023 19:45 Player statistic
| 47' |  |
Ciro Immobile | ||
| Jovan Manev |  |
68' | ||
| 70' | |
Federico Dimarco | ||
| 75' | |
Sandro Tonali | ||
| 79' | |
Nicolò Zaniolo | ||
| Enis Bardhi | |
81' | ||
| Isnik Alimi | |
88' |
Match statistic
Zaniolo give the needless free kick. He is the Lakaku for Italian team.
Mancini departure will prove he was a much better coach than people give him credit for it. Spalletti is not doing that great against a very easy team.
Full Italian performance – far off the pace from France, Argentina, Portugal, etc (very far!)
Amazingly we can still qualify in third place via the play offs. I can’t see us coming second now.
Dull that is (not full)
Dreadful second half. Teams know we can’t finish and it gives them so much confidence.
i was right again they cannot fish off a game every country has a killer striker we are going to pay is best that we are part in a group with portugal france spain croatia bring balettelli back give him a chance
Forza Macedonia. Greetings to Italian fans.