With Luciano Spalletti admitting it might be time to take Jorginho off penalty duties, there are several other Italy players ready to step up.
The Brazil-born Arsenal midfielder has failed to convert his last four spot-kicks for Italy, starting with the EURO 2020 Final shoot-out against England, two in as many 2022 World Cup qualifiers with Switzerland and Friday’s dismal effort against North Macedonia.
While initially Spalletti had said he was keeping the faith with Jorginho in future, today he gave a different version of events when speaking to Sky Sport Italia.
“We have other penalty specialists too and perhaps it would make things difficult for him if we sent him back to the spot the way I did in the press conference the other day. We are evaluating other situations too, let’s say.”
Jorginho has not successfully converted a penalty for Italy in normal time since the Nations League against Poland in November 2020.
The primary alternative would be Sassuolo captain Domenico Berardi, who had in fact offered to take it against North Macedonia until Jorginho asked him for the opportunity.
Berardi has converted 51 spot-kicks in his career, failing to convert eight, most recently against Milan in August 2022.
His only attempt for Italy at senior level was the Nations League Final Four against Belgium in October 2021.
Giacomo Raspadori is another candidate, although at senior level his only attempt was saved in August 2023 when Napoli faced Sassuolo.
Federico Dimarco barely ever takes penalties for Inter, but did have a strong record at youth level and scored three for the Italy Under-19 squad at the 2016 European Championships.
Matteo Politano is another option, converting nine out of a total 12 in his career.