STRUGGLING CHAMPIONS ITALY suffered another poor result when a 1-1 away draw at North Macedonia on Saturday complicated the Azzurri’s chances of qualifying for Euro 2024.
Enis Bardhi smashed in a free-kick for the hosts with nine minutes remaining in the Group C clash in Skopje on Luciano Spalletti’s debut as coach for the defending European champion Italy.
Spalletti took charge of the Azzurri last month following Roberto Mancini’s shock resignation and his team flopped against the side which dumped Italy out of the last World Cup in the play-offs.
Italy sit third in the group on four points following the third match of their qualifying campaign, nine points behind leaders England who have played two more games and were held to a 1-1 draw by second-placed Ukraine earlier on Saturday.
Spalletti’s side are three points behind Ukraine with the pair facing off at the San Siro on Tuesday night, a crucial fixture for each side’s hopes of claiming one of two automatic spots for next summer’s tournament in Germany.
North Macedonia sit fourth and level on points with Italy after a rugged performance from a team which came into Saturday’s fixture deep in crisis.
Missing injured Juventus forward Federico Immobile, Italy struggled to play entertaining football on a dreadful pitch at the Tose Proeski Arena, and while they had most of the ball in the first half they created very little.
Ciro Immobile, who has been made captain by Spalletti, put the away side ahead a minute into the second half when after Nicolo Barella looped a shot off the crossbar, the Lazio striker nodded in on the rebound.
However instead of building on that strong start to the half Italy lost their way.
And Bardhi made sure the hosts punished their opponents with a rocket of a shot which flashed past Gianluigi Donnarumma and left Spalletti with plenty of questions to answer.
Japan humiliated Euro 2024 hosts Germany 4-1 in a friendly international on Saturday, piling the pressure on struggling coach Hansi Flick.
Japan, who also contributed to Germany’s group stage exit at the World Cup with a 2-1 win in Qatar last year, scored twice in each half.
The defeat raises more questions over Flick’s future, nine months out from Germany hosting the European Championships.
Junya Ito and Ayase Ueda scored either side of a Leroy Sane strike in the first half, Japan taking a 2-1 lead into halftime as the home fans jeered the home side.
Germany continued their limp performance in the second half, with Japan scoring twice in the final five minutes through Takuma Asano and Ao Tanaka, to seal a dominant performance.
The home fans’ silence turned to boos and whistles at the break, which continued into the second half as Germany dominated possession but failed to break down a dogged Japanese defence.
Up next for Germany is Tuesday’s meeting with France in Dortmund, a team which will be delighted to capitalise on the space afforded by the German defence.
A third win in a row continued Japan’s strong preparation for January’s Asia Cup in Qatar, a competition they have won a record four times.
Gilroy is one of those players who should really have more international caps than he does. Hes been very unlucky in my opinion.
@Rudiger McMonihan:
Unfortunately for him his all round game is just not up to international class.
I fear that unless Adam Byrne improves his defence he will become the new Craig Gilroy but there is no doubt going forward they are impressive.
You’d worry for Ulster with that backrow. Marcel Coetzee and Jean Deysel always seem to be injured.
I wonder would Leinster have a backrow or two to spare for up north?
@Culture At War: Matt O’Connor was apparently in town this week talking to three Leinster and Ireland players about signing for Leicester Tigers next season. If Nucifora is doing his job properly, he should be making sure we keep our talent here rather than letting other talents leave like Zebo.
@Paul McCutcheon: why would any Irish forward want to play for that crash bang wallop merchant. 2 season playing for him will take 3 season of your career
@Chris Mc: Didnt stop Dominic Ryan going to them and putting any international ambition aside, rather than move North were he would have be greatly appreciated and got plenty of gametime.
@Kingshu: Agreed. Looks like Ryan is going to do a Marty Moore.
Surely Peter Nelson should be getting a start at out half in games like these? Ulster will be in real trouble when CL leaves in the new year.
@Captain NerbNerb: Should be they clearly they are banking on the outcome of the court case.
I was very impressed with McBurney performances for the U20’s over the last two years. He seems to have put on some mass which he needed to add to his already impressive technical skills at both ruck and line out time. In a position that has a load of questions marks for Ireland going forward if he continues to impress and develop his game all the better for Ulster and Ireland. At 21 and having been in the same environment with Best he has the time and guidance.
@Ian Verdon: Tbh John Andrews has a fair turn of speed which never seems fully utilized. If he was brought in the 7s program it might help him develop better footwork and handling skills.
there isnt one decent forward in that pack
@Tommy Bread: Reidy, Henry & Treadwell are all Irish internationals.
@Tommy Bread: disagree, you obviously don’t watch them regularly.
All this fake news circulating !!!
I could have sworn that Ulster announced weeks ago that they had signed a South African loose head forward.
I must be wrong, but then I have this memory of the Ulster management over the last 3 weeks saying something alone the lines of a new prop making his debut this weekend but where did he go.
Maybe they could tell us for real if he is fit or not.
Will he play soon, play this year, this season or is he banjacksed
@Mark Smith: Absolutely. Is it or is not another B@!!s up?
The Kings only real threat is in the backline. If Ulster hope to go there and play expansive sevens style rugby they could be in for a shock! Win the battle up front and when the game is in the bag do the fancy stuff.