ROME (AP) — If Italy is going to qualify for its first World Cup in 12 years, the "Azzurri" (Azzurri) defenders will have to stop a striker they respect and know well.
Bosnia and Herzegovina striker Edin Dzeko was a teammate of all three of Italy's defenders at his club.
Dzeko played with Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori when he was at Roma from 2015-21. Then, after moving to Inter Milan, Dzeko partnered with Alessandro Bastoni, a team that reached the 2023 Champions League final.
Italy and Inter winger Federico Di Marco got in touch with Dzeko to congratulate him on winning the penalty shootout against Wales, which followed Tuesday's playoff final between Bosnia and Wales.
Dzeko's header in the 83rd minute was the equalizer against Wales for his 73rd goal in 111 appearances for Bosnia. Standing 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 meters) tall, Dzeko is a threat in the air — where Italian defenders often struggle.
“Dzeko is a great player and a great person,” Di Marco said. “I saw him on vacation in the summer and I’ve kept a good relationship with him.”
Di Marco will have to forget that relationship, though, as Italy is desperate not to miss a third consecutive World Cup.
Italy was knocked out of the last two World Cup playoffs by Sweden and North Macedonia respectively in the last two World Cup playoffs.
Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the European playoff semifinals last week.
The other playoff finals on Tuesday are: Sweden against Poland; Turkey against Kosovo; and Denmark against the Czech Republic.
Bosnia chose to host the playoff final at the 14,000-capacity Bilino Polje stadium in Zenica, which is surrounded by apartment towers around the stadium.
FIFA punished the stadium's capacity by 20% because of fan discrimination and racist abuse during Bosnia's game against Romania in November.
Italy is worried about the state of the pitch at the stadium in Bosnia after recent snowfall.
“We are expecting a tough atmosphere,” Di Marco said. “But if we can maintain the right mindset for 95 minutes, I think we will get the result.”
Bosnia used video footage of Italian players celebrating their win over Wales — as if they thought Bosnia was a weaker opponent than Wales.
“It was an instinctive reaction,” Di Marco said. “I really didn’t insult Bosnia or the Bosnians.”
The referee for the match in Bosnia will be Clement Turpin from France, who also refereed when Italy lost 1-0 to North Macedonia in the playoff semifinal four years ago.
Di Marco has been a consistent force on the left wing for league-leading Inter this season with six goals and 15 assists.
The only World Cup he has played in was the 2017 edition for under-20s, when Italy finished third with Di Marco scoring in the quarterfinals.
“I’ve always said that goals and assists don’t matter if they don’t help the team achieve results,” Di Marco said.
Italy's attack gained momentum in the second half against Northern Ireland when 20-year-old Piacenza's Piu Esposito replaced Matteo Retegui. Now, the 20-year-old Esposito could start instead of Retegui alongside Moise Kein with Bosnia.
Di Marco also plays with Esposito at Inter.
“He’s a special kid,” Di Marco said. “He’s mature for his age and always gives 100% — in games and in training. ... We just have to leave him alone and not put too much pressure on him.”
The press is on the Italians as an entire generation — mostly under 15 years old — has never seen the Azzurri play in a World Cup, the last being in 2014 in Brazil, which is mostly remembered for Luis Suarez biting Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder.
Just ask right winger Matteo Politano, who has won two Italian league titles with Napoli but is still 32 years old and has never played in a World Cup.
“We all know what we’re playing for,” Politano said. “For me and the senior players, this is probably our last chance.”
This story has been corrected to show that the stadium capacity penalty was imposed by FIFA, not UEFA.
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