The home team ahead with James, but the guests don’t give up. And the Azzurri give themselves away
Italy’s World Cup will take place in Zenica, in the fortress stadium of Bosnia, against a team that has a strong character, not to be underestimated, and defeats Wales on penalties. It will be an appointment with some friends from Serie A led by Edin Dzeko who at 40 dreams of finishing his career at the highest level. The former Viola striker (also) doesn’t want to give up: he seeks the World Cup as a reward, he equalizes with a header in the 86th minute: he is the record holder for everything in Bosnia, most goals (73) and most appearances (147). He leaves exhausted in the 90th minute, leaving extra time to his younger colleagues. Demirovic had the first penalty saved, then no errors. Alajbegovic closes, while the disappointing Johnson (high) and Williams (rejected by Vasilj) fail for the reds. Wales managed to throw away the final in regulation and completed the job from the spot. Coach Bellamy will long remember the post (Wilson at 0-0) and James’ crossbar (at 1-0) which could have changed the match. But he suffers too much from Bosnia’s desire to pass, which steals nothing, on the contrary. The Azzurri will need the same personality shown here by their rivals on Tuesday to register for the World Cup
the reasons
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The much-cited Red Wall has helped Wales on many occasions, but it becomes a useless accessory if there is a lack of incisiveness on the pitch. However, the reds prove to be well educated: Bellamy is keen on his label as a modern coach. Departures from behind with the wingers entering the field, an exchange in the most advanced sector, where there is no fixed center forward. Wilson and Brooks continually change their positions. The Dragons also model themselves as 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, but the main tactical design is 4-1-4-1 – Wilson and Daniel James are the best, while Johnson, on the other hand, disappoints, even before the missed penalty.
the moves
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Sergej Barbarez sets up a physical and experienced defense to block the way for the Welsh in his 4-4-2. The Atalanta player Kolasinac is on the left side and has to pay attention above all to Daniel James who makes him sweat and gives him a yellow card before the break. It is changed after an hour. Sassuolo’s Muharemovic must protect the central sector where Bellamy’s offensive pieces alternate: he often succeeds, a save on Wilson in extra time was providential. Dedic is a good running winger, but he is forced to remain cautious. With Dzeko in front there is Demirovic of Stuttgart. They often remain isolated, they try to link up with the midfielders but it is not easy given the pressure from Wales, who in any case have to stop for an hour on the edge of the area. Bosnia shows that a defense that conceded only 7 goals in qualifying can hold up. But the double mistake not made by the defenders manifests itself at the beginning of the second half. Clumsy backwards touch from Tahirovic, Daniel James suddenly shoots from about twenty meters and goalkeeper Vasilj is surprised. He will make up for it by saving the penultimate penalty. Wales tries the counterattack but proves to leave a few too many windows open, especially on the sides, and Darlow’s miracle on Demirovic’s header then fades in the face of the goalkeeper’s incorrect exit from a gifted corner in the 86th minute. Dzeko doesn’t forgive, like his teammates from the spot. Now there is Italy.
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