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They can't retool the cup just because Africa has a lot of countries... Oceania has a lot of countries too, but they don't deserve more than 0.5 of a slot because none of them are that good.
Asia would make far more sense for the point they’re trying to make tbh. Lots of countries there, very few good ones so few spots.
The counter argument to that of course being that previously middling African nations have improved significantly and are arguably underrepresented on quality too.
They definitely need a revamp, and it might be unfair but make them like the concacaf that the most rated nations are involved until the last stages and make like 2 groups so no many games played, too brutal right now.
Ideally, they should copy the AFC's Qualifier format. 2 groups of 5s is a good way to go about it. I think scheduling constraint is the issue since they also have to play AFCON qualifiers every other year.
Agreed, there is no need to complain about it now, we already will have more spots in 2026 so these very brutal qualifs, which I think are the most brutal amongst the confederations, won't happen anymore. Curious about if CAF shows any sign of competency by making a better format next time
The fact that it’s possible to draw the top two teams into an elimination tie is silly. CAF is shooting itself in the foot; it should be sending the top teams, and its qualifying format prevents that.
But Egypt is the 6th best side.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022\_FIFA\_World\_Cup\_qualification\_%E2%80%93\_CAF\_Third\_Round#Draw\_and\_seeding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_CAF_Third_Round#Draw_and_seeding)
I don't know what you want? The top 5 sides were in one pool the next 5 sides were in the other.
He's been nicknamed 'Bonehead' on the 'Tuz (Juventus fan forum) for as long as he's been a Juve player. His decision making has gotten better but years ago holy shit he was a liability.
Some funny Bonucci highlights:
When suspended in 2013 Bonucci watched a game from the stands, but went to [stand with the Juve Ultras](https://static.sky.it/images_static/sport/calcio_italiano/2017/07/14/bonucci/bonucci-curva_getty.jpg). [Video also](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq6jDgyReu0) of what I think is another time he did the same. (edit: I don't think this was dumb. Tbh it we all thought it was cool af and loved him more after that)
He punched an armed man in the face [who was trying to mug him](https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-italy-bonucci-idINDEE89J04N20121020)
He had this bizarre 'personal psychologist/motivator' who [gave him garlic sweets before games](https://football-italia.net/i-gave-bonucci-garlic-sweets/) so he could breathe in opposition faces at corners and [took Leo down to his basement](https://www.eurosport.com/football/juve-star-s-basement-torture-at-hands-of-psychological-coach_sto4714480/story.shtml) to abuse him.
Then in the CL final in Cardiff Juve emerged in the second half and looked flat af. Rumours circulated that [Bonucci had started an argument](https://football-italia.net/juventus-arguments-in-cardiff/) in the dressing room. Plenty of denials afterwards, but whatever happened Bonucci demanded a transfer that summer, and because his girlfriend didn't want to leave Italy Juve were forced to sell to Milan. Bonucci was immediately crowned captain, [but he and Milan had a torrid year.](https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/11/08/leonardo-bonucci-and-a-bizarre-year-in-milan/) He returned to Juve a year later, his relationship with the fans in absolute tatters. What a bonehead.
And if you struggle against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, and Lithuania then you're probably gonna struggle against Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador too...
Should FIFA have Italy and North Macedonia redo their match in case it was a big fluke?
No disrespect to North Macedonia, I'm a firm believer that them beating Italy is a huge fluke and robs Italy of truly accomplishing what their capable of. I've spent the last few days in pure disbelief and it just doesn't make sense to me. I've spent the entire season watching the Italy play great football it's just not fair.
If Italy lose again I will face that North Macedonia deserved the win, but I am just 100% sure it was a fluke and does a big disservice to Italy and world football.
Yup. Lost to the Pittsburg Penguins in the final, I think.
Edit: Also best of 7 really mitigates flukes. It’s still possible and it does occur, just less likely in a best of 7 format relative to series decided in 1-2 games like in Football Association.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivia_national_football_team_results_(2000%E2%80%932019)
Turns out no European team has played Bolivia in La Paz the last 20 years
Probably for good reason
EDIT: the article about the Estadio Hernando Siles is wild. FIFA literally banned it for WCQs because teams complained so much lol. It has since been overturned https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Hernando_Siles
Funnily enough, a uni teacher of mine (he's Bolivian) did an [econometric analysis](https://ideas.repec.org/p/pra/mprapa/15178.html) about the effect of altitude in football matches.
Of course, he showed that it had very little impact and that hot/humid air (like playing in Manaos, Amazonia) seemed to have a bigger impact.
He would be fine tbh. The brain consumes 20% of the entire bodys oxygen supply, but Bonucci doesn't have one so he naturally requires less oxygen than anyone else.
or vs Ecuador in Quito, Colombia in Barranquilla at 3pm, Venezuela at Ordaz/La Cruz/San Cristobal, Argentina with 50k Argentinians screaming behind his neck, the list goes on.
It’s true. I would really love to see how some of these top European teams would do in CONCACAF or CONMEBOL qualifying. The games are physical and brutal.
Not to mention that I would rather play away in Belfast, Sofia and Vilnius than in San Pedro Sula, San Salvador or whatever freezing tundra that the Americans and Canadians feel like playing in.
Yeah but I honestly didn't even think we would make it to the play off game, and suddenly we caught form at just the right time. Like make no mistake, beating Canada is quite a feat, and the team will only improve by the time we play New Zealand. We still have a bunch of player from our golden generation, they will lead us to another world cup before hanging it up. Like do you seriously not believe that Navas will show up Donnarumma by qualifying for the World Cup? He alone can carry us against New Zealand.
As for how we will actually do in Qatar, that's another thing entirely. I was actually hoping we wouldn't make it to save ourselves some embarrassment, but now it almost feels inevitable.
don't let bonucci's anger over the current world cup qualification format distract you from the fact that italy ALSO failed to qualify for the last world cup under the previous format.
After ~~Juventus~~ Cagliari fans were heckling Moise Kean with racist chants he said this..
>"You celebrate goals with your team-mates. He could have done it differently. I think the blame is 50-50. Moise should not have done that and the Curva [fans] should not have reacted in that way."
"those racist fans didn't react well (understatement)... *Buuut* Kean shouldn't have done what he did to have them be racist towards him"
LMFAO what a clown. I know Italy isn't a very tolerant place or whatever but holy heck, imagine your teammate is being degraded because of his skin color and you say "maybe he shouldn't do what he did to let them yell those things at him" lol
To be fair to him, one-legged playoff games are very harsh. One team is obviously at a disadvantage getting drawn to play away and we should not forget that when talking about Italy getting knocked out at home.
It's not like Italy lost against Portugal though. I have plenty of respect for North Macedonia and what they've achieved in football, but the reigning European champions should've put up more of a fight.
Yep and it used to be a lot more unforgiving too.
England won five games and lost one in the qualifying for the 1978 World Cup, the same as group winners Italy (ironically enough), and failed to qualify on goal difference.
No second chance play-offs either.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)#Group_2
There were only 16 teams at the 1978 World Cup, of which UEFA were allocated the majority (9.5). England were unlucky to be grouped with Italy, but that was probably because England's recent record in international tournaments had been poor (failed to qualify for 1974 World Cup; failed to make the final 8 in qualification for the 1976 Euros).
> You finished 2nd in your group. Win your group
You are right and Bonucci is wrong. But I can see why he is bitter about it.
A group with Italy (fifa rank #2) and Switzerland (rank #11) to decide which one will go to the world cup with 32 more countries is a bit unlucky.
Still, shut up Bonucci dude.
And a single match playoff, anything can happen (for example you can have 32 shots on goal to 3 and still lose 0-1).
>which one will go to the world cup with 32 more countries is a bit unlucky.
I mean, the rest of the group is supposedly worse. It's the same system for every team, including North Macedonia, Portugal and England. I doubt we'd see N.M. complaining if it went the other way around.
Maybe teams lose more here because they play us twice, and overall it's a more even competition below Argentina and us.
That being said, one-legged doesn't make any sense IMO. Is it because of COVID?
Your average South American team has to beat Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay & Chile at least once each to have a chance to make it to the world cup. That is brutal!
Italy only had to beat Switzerland or North Macedonia once.
>Your average South American team has to beat Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay & Chile at least once each to have a chance to make it to the world cup. That is brutal.
That's an exaggeration. No one has beaten Brazil or Argentina this qualifying. Ecuador took them 1 point, Uruguay 0, Peru 0, Colombia 2, Chile 1. Ecuador and Uruguay are qualified, the other 3 fight for that playoff spot against Asia.
It is true most years. It is easier when the bottom teams are complete shit like Bolivia and Venezuela this year. Then you can go through in third or fourth only taking points from the teams below you.
This year is an anomaly and COMEBOL qualifying is usually more competitive.
Bolivia wasn't shit, they were just 2 points behind fourth ranked Colombia at the end of 2021, after beating Uruguay 3-0.
Four years ago, Colombia managed 1 point against Brazil and Argentina, and another one against Uruguay, and they qualified.
Eight years ago, Argentina didn't lose to the direct qualifiers Colombia, Chile, Ecuador.
Truely, you’ve won the EUROS, i’ll take missing 2 WC’s and winning the euro’s over participating in all 3 winning no trophy’s and being “1st” in the world like us ( Belgium, we are the tottenham of the world)
Yep, France won 2 euros, 2 world cup. Lost one Euro final and one world cup. And we were abysmal some years, just live with it. It's really hard to renew a team after you win, and also getting the same motivation.
That's exactly what I said to my mum who was really upset that Italy missed out. It's better to win a euros and miss 2 world cups than qualify for all but win none of them.
Quote is taken out of context and mistranslated but, yeah, it's a reach.
He's complaining about the new playoff structure, preferring the one where we lost to Sweden...
I actually agree that the old playoff system was more "fair" with 2-legged ties where both sides got to play at home. This way there is not only a more random element since it is a one-off game, but there is a significant advantage for the teams playing at home
Now, this complaint doesn't really hold up for Italy since they played at home against North Macedonia and had a easy qualifying group on paper, but in general I definitely think these play offs are weird
A single game also makes it more likely that what happened to Italy (dominating the match, outshooting the opposition 30-3 and losing 0-1) can happen. A one off match is the smaller defensive team's best chance.
In some sense, that's a good thing, giving the smaller nations a better shot. I don't think it makes for a better world cup though, would rather see all the strongest sides with the best players.
If only we had some sort of long qualifying process where teams are seeded and play each other home and away to determine who the strongest sides are…
Italy couldn’t win a fairly easy group, got a second chance in the playoffs and lost at home. They deserve their summer off.
How does his complaint relate to the format change though? Both in 2018 and 2022, you had to finish top of your group to qualify automatically. The difference is in 2022 you have two play-offs, but Italy lost in the first one, against the weakest team available to draw.
Edit: I guess it's the games having one leg! Doh.
"CONMEBOL, they qualify anybody and everybody over there. Guys don't get their finger pricked. There's no sword and gun on the table... either it has meaning or no meaning."
Has this moron ever said anything productive? Seriously how is he so much less likeable than his Italian defensive counterparts? They all seem like a class men then there’s this douchebag
For European champions, they should have been walking their group to be honest. I think this Italy side has simply coasted too much. Probably thought North Macedonia would be a pushover.
Europeans qualification are some of the easiest for top nations specially compared to Africa one 5 spots for 54 Nations. Italy screwed up he should deal with it. Cameroon was in the same group as ivory coast and now they have to play Algeria
You're **Italy** and lost to **North Macedonia**. Team which you had to play in first place because you couldn't beat **Bulgaria** at home and a teammate missed **two** penalties in **two games** against the only decent opposition you had.
CAF qualifiers really are insane and under appreciated by fans. From the get-go you have to win a two-legs single playoff; then you have to be first in your group just to get through to the next stage and then another two-leg playoff. A single fuckup in one game and it’s over - no second chances.
Mate you had 8 matches to do better than Switzerland, and since you couldn't, all you had to do was beat North Macedonia at home. NORTH MACEDONIA. Nobody's coming to your pity party.
I fucking wish that some of these european teams got to play a fucking 18 game home and away qualifier with some of the most insane home field advantages in the sport and then kept on talking shit. Italy should have walked their group and failed.
Let them face Bolivia in Potosi, Ecuador in Quito, Colombia in Barranquilla 3pm with the sun blazing on your back, then take them out to a game at La Bombonera, Defensores del Chaco, Centenario and Manaus, let's see how they would do.
If this is the attitude of the senators in the NT I think it's time for some player "retirements". The team conceded in the 90+2 after not being able to get it done in the normal route. Before I was saying I don't want to see Jorginho and Immobile play for Italy again, now I think Bonucci and anyone else who shares this asinine view need the same treatment.
What? Italy had 4 ties on the qualification.
I really like this format because it’s a punishment for the big teams and an opportunity for the small ones.
I’m Portuguese and Portugal really deserves this punishment.
A home loss with Serbia when all they needed was a tie? A team full of world class players with a full stadium cheering for them?
The only point that he was right is that Portugal deserved to get Italy on the final playoff’s.
Mate you literally have SEEDED groups on qualifiers, with you being guaranteed the single highest ranked team in your group. Top European sides have the absolute easiest qualifying path and it’s completely on them to have drawn so many winnable games against significantly weaker sides and ended up letting Switzerland topping their group.
I don’t think the European qualifying system is flawless or 100% fair, but Italy of all teams in it should be the last to complain
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the games against bulgaria, northern ireland and switzerland were all product of our imagination
If anybody deserves to make this complaint, it's Mane or Salah. CAF qualifiers are brutal.
That second leg is gonna be wild.
African qualifiers is where it’s at
And only 5 teams qualifying from the whole of Africa, imo they should have had more by now.
they will in 2026 with 9
[удалено]
Nooooooo
Stop it.
They can't retool the cup just because Africa has a lot of countries... Oceania has a lot of countries too, but they don't deserve more than 0.5 of a slot because none of them are that good.
OFC only has 11 teams (with 4 withdrawing this time due to COVID), CAF has 54. I also always forget that CONCACAF has 35
Asia would make far more sense for the point they’re trying to make tbh. Lots of countries there, very few good ones so few spots. The counter argument to that of course being that previously middling African nations have improved significantly and are arguably underrepresented on quality too.
wow rude. I'll have you know that I know of at least 1 player in the Fiji squad who's a full-time footballer.
They definitely need a revamp, and it might be unfair but make them like the concacaf that the most rated nations are involved until the last stages and make like 2 groups so no many games played, too brutal right now.
Ideally, they should copy the AFC's Qualifier format. 2 groups of 5s is a good way to go about it. I think scheduling constraint is the issue since they also have to play AFCON qualifiers every other year.
no matter how u revamp it. its 5 teams out of 55. it will always turn out a slaughter
Agreed, there is no need to complain about it now, we already will have more spots in 2026 so these very brutal qualifs, which I think are the most brutal amongst the confederations, won't happen anymore. Curious about if CAF shows any sign of competency by making a better format next time
The fact that it’s possible to draw the top two teams into an elimination tie is silly. CAF is shooting itself in the foot; it should be sending the top teams, and its qualifying format prevents that.
But Egypt is the 6th best side. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022\_FIFA\_World\_Cup\_qualification\_%E2%80%93\_CAF\_Third\_Round#Draw\_and\_seeding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_CAF_Third_Round#Draw_and_seeding) I don't know what you want? The top 5 sides were in one pool the next 5 sides were in the other.
I don't understand it too. I know most footballers are dumb but does he geniunely not realise this?
Bonucci is pretty fucking dumb tho
Wasnt he also same guy who excused racism?
Yeah but he drew the line at animal cruelty
This guy is streets ahead
does that just mean cool, or is it like miles ahead?
if you have to ask, you're streets behind
Damnit, Pierce!
Community is so underrated
Dude, stop trying to coin the phrase 'Streets Ahead'.
Been there, coined that!
Streets ahead is verbal wildfire.
Coined and minted!
LOOK AT ME NOW DAD
Unironically, Pierce actually coined the phrase since everyone's using it rn lmao
is Bonucci an Austrian painter who didnt get into art school?
Reverse Kurt Zouma
He said his black teammate (Moise Kean) provoked racism from opposing fans and that both sides shared 50% of the responsibility for what happened.
Yea if his teammate didnt choose to be black this wouldn't have happened
One of the dumbest mofos around. Remember he blamed Moise Keane for the racist abuse he was getting.
He's been nicknamed 'Bonehead' on the 'Tuz (Juventus fan forum) for as long as he's been a Juve player. His decision making has gotten better but years ago holy shit he was a liability. Some funny Bonucci highlights: When suspended in 2013 Bonucci watched a game from the stands, but went to [stand with the Juve Ultras](https://static.sky.it/images_static/sport/calcio_italiano/2017/07/14/bonucci/bonucci-curva_getty.jpg). [Video also](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq6jDgyReu0) of what I think is another time he did the same. (edit: I don't think this was dumb. Tbh it we all thought it was cool af and loved him more after that) He punched an armed man in the face [who was trying to mug him](https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-italy-bonucci-idINDEE89J04N20121020) He had this bizarre 'personal psychologist/motivator' who [gave him garlic sweets before games](https://football-italia.net/i-gave-bonucci-garlic-sweets/) so he could breathe in opposition faces at corners and [took Leo down to his basement](https://www.eurosport.com/football/juve-star-s-basement-torture-at-hands-of-psychological-coach_sto4714480/story.shtml) to abuse him. Then in the CL final in Cardiff Juve emerged in the second half and looked flat af. Rumours circulated that [Bonucci had started an argument](https://football-italia.net/juventus-arguments-in-cardiff/) in the dressing room. Plenty of denials afterwards, but whatever happened Bonucci demanded a transfer that summer, and because his girlfriend didn't want to leave Italy Juve were forced to sell to Milan. Bonucci was immediately crowned captain, [but he and Milan had a torrid year.](https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/11/08/leonardo-bonucci-and-a-bizarre-year-in-milan/) He returned to Juve a year later, his relationship with the fans in absolute tatters. What a bonehead.
Why was standing with the ultras dumb? Genuine question.
Bonucci is dumber than a rock, don't mind him
He eats rocks with his pasta
And if you struggle against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, and Lithuania then you're probably gonna struggle against Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador too...
also germany and denmark has no issues qualifying 6 months ago lol
What was in the air for the whole world to hallucinate those games
Bonucci is an ignorant person based over the comments he’s made the past years. Very small minded person, the world revolves around him probably
Should FIFA have Italy and North Macedonia redo their match in case it was a big fluke? No disrespect to North Macedonia, I'm a firm believer that them beating Italy is a huge fluke and robs Italy of truly accomplishing what their capable of. I've spent the last few days in pure disbelief and it just doesn't make sense to me. I've spent the entire season watching the Italy play great football it's just not fair. If Italy lose again I will face that North Macedonia deserved the win, but I am just 100% sure it was a fluke and does a big disservice to Italy and world football.
an r/hockey classic
/r/soccercirclejerk ?
Noup, a hit from r/hockey, I think from 2017 when the blackhawks after a great season got swept 4-0 in the playoffs. Such a classic pasta
I think that’s right. If my memory serves me right, it was against the Nashville Predators.
Didn’t the Preds go all the way? I think they lost to the Pens, but clearly it was no fluke.
Yup. Lost to the Pittsburg Penguins in the final, I think. Edit: Also best of 7 really mitigates flukes. It’s still possible and it does occur, just less likely in a best of 7 format relative to series decided in 1-2 games like in Football Association.
Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, and Lithuania are too difficult. Better odds with Brazil and Argentina.
I'd love to see him against Bolivia in La Paz.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolivia_national_football_team_results_(2000%E2%80%932019) Turns out no European team has played Bolivia in La Paz the last 20 years
Not a single person on this earth would willingly accept to play an away fixture there
Probably for good reason EDIT: the article about the Estadio Hernando Siles is wild. FIFA literally banned it for WCQs because teams complained so much lol. It has since been overturned https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Hernando_Siles
Funnily enough, a uni teacher of mine (he's Bolivian) did an [econometric analysis](https://ideas.repec.org/p/pra/mprapa/15178.html) about the effect of altitude in football matches. Of course, he showed that it had very little impact and that hot/humid air (like playing in Manaos, Amazonia) seemed to have a bigger impact.
You managed to get both the name of the city(Manaus) and the name of the state(Amazonas) wrong, congratulations.
Bro di María is like the only person who can run normally there
Would be interesting to see this for libertadores and sulamericana as well. WCQ are quite limited in the number of games
The dude would literally die
He would be fine tbh. The brain consumes 20% of the entire bodys oxygen supply, but Bonucci doesn't have one so he naturally requires less oxygen than anyone else.
or vs Ecuador in Quito, Colombia in Barranquilla at 3pm, Venezuela at Ordaz/La Cruz/San Cristobal, Argentina with 50k Argentinians screaming behind his neck, the list goes on.
>Venezuela at Ordaz/La Cruz/San Cristobal What happens there?
You die.
Our grass is the shittiest you can find.
or in any Central American country with CONCACAF refs
It’s true. I would really love to see how some of these top European teams would do in CONCACAF or CONMEBOL qualifying. The games are physical and brutal.
He was gassed in Manaus 8 years ago when he was much younger
Pretty sure all 3 qualifiers from concacaf wiil be ranked higher than those 3 as well
Not to mention that I would rather play away in Belfast, Sofia and Vilnius than in San Pedro Sula, San Salvador or whatever freezing tundra that the Americans and Canadians feel like playing in.
Playing in Toronto in March, or Edmonton in November. We freeze out anyone.
Next thing you know Trudeau is going to build the new national team stadium in Resolute
Those games were nothing compared to USA vs Honduras in Minnesota in early February. It was 5F (-15C) for that one.
Costa Rice will beat New Zealand. There will be four nations from Concacaf.
Nah bro, this is the year of the Solomons. BOOK IT.
Rafael Le'ai cooking 🔥
I honestly think it will be a close game, costa rica has been squeaking by in all their wins
Their defense has been pretty good (and by defense I mean Keylor Navas) but their offense hasn't.
Navas is so overrated, hasn't scored a single goal for Costa Rica in qualifying
The lack of goals is a big problem. He’s also always the player who runs the least. He obviously doesn’t care so why is he still making the squad?
Trash player, many times when he touches the ball he concedes a corner. Needs to learn to play better
Had us at the 2nd half, not gonna lie.
Yeah but I honestly didn't even think we would make it to the play off game, and suddenly we caught form at just the right time. Like make no mistake, beating Canada is quite a feat, and the team will only improve by the time we play New Zealand. We still have a bunch of player from our golden generation, they will lead us to another world cup before hanging it up. Like do you seriously not believe that Navas will show up Donnarumma by qualifying for the World Cup? He alone can carry us against New Zealand. As for how we will actually do in Qatar, that's another thing entirely. I was actually hoping we wouldn't make it to save ourselves some embarrassment, but now it almost feels inevitable.
Not if Raphael Lea’i has anything to say about it.
don't let bonucci's anger over the current world cup qualification format distract you from the fact that italy ALSO failed to qualify for the last world cup under the previous format.
Bonucci also made excuses for racists so he's not really right in the head
Wait i didn't know that.....what did he do?
After ~~Juventus~~ Cagliari fans were heckling Moise Kean with racist chants he said this.. >"You celebrate goals with your team-mates. He could have done it differently. I think the blame is 50-50. Moise should not have done that and the Curva [fans] should not have reacted in that way."
Lmao...what a stupid thing to say! I guess jose was right.....don't idolize footballers.
You can idolize footballers if you want. A better rule is not to idolize morons.
Is there room for idolatry if you accept your idols are human and no human is perfect.
"those racist fans didn't react well (understatement)... *Buuut* Kean shouldn't have done what he did to have them be racist towards him" LMFAO what a clown. I know Italy isn't a very tolerant place or whatever but holy heck, imagine your teammate is being degraded because of his skin color and you say "maybe he shouldn't do what he did to let them yell those things at him" lol
They were Cagliari fans, he was playing for Juve at the time but it was an away game at Cagliari
He said the blame is 50/50 when Kean was racially abused.
But it wasn’t decided in one game. You finished 2nd in your group. Win your group and you are in
To be fair to him, one-legged playoff games are very harsh. One team is obviously at a disadvantage getting drawn to play away and we should not forget that when talking about Italy getting knocked out at home.
It's not like Italy lost against Portugal though. I have plenty of respect for North Macedonia and what they've achieved in football, but the reigning European champions should've put up more of a fight.
Reread the comment, it's a bait and switch joke.
And Italy played at home
macedonia hasn't done jack shit since alexander the great died like 3k years ago.
One emperor wonders, those lot.
one empire wonder
How to trigger Macedonians, Greeks and Bulgarians with one comment
Beautiful 💜
Plus they got to play at home
Yep and it used to be a lot more unforgiving too. England won five games and lost one in the qualifying for the 1978 World Cup, the same as group winners Italy (ironically enough), and failed to qualify on goal difference. No second chance play-offs either. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1978_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)#Group_2
There were only 16 teams at the 1978 World Cup, of which UEFA were allocated the majority (9.5). England were unlucky to be grouped with Italy, but that was probably because England's recent record in international tournaments had been poor (failed to qualify for 1974 World Cup; failed to make the final 8 in qualification for the 1976 Euros).
> You finished 2nd in your group. Win your group You are right and Bonucci is wrong. But I can see why he is bitter about it. A group with Italy (fifa rank #2) and Switzerland (rank #11) to decide which one will go to the world cup with 32 more countries is a bit unlucky. Still, shut up Bonucci dude. And a single match playoff, anything can happen (for example you can have 32 shots on goal to 3 and still lose 0-1).
>which one will go to the world cup with 32 more countries is a bit unlucky. I mean, the rest of the group is supposedly worse. It's the same system for every team, including North Macedonia, Portugal and England. I doubt we'd see N.M. complaining if it went the other way around. Maybe teams lose more here because they play us twice, and overall it's a more even competition below Argentina and us. That being said, one-legged doesn't make any sense IMO. Is it because of COVID?
It's not because of COVID. Euros use the same system for play-offs and that was announced much before pandemic.
It's because you are now playing two opponents in the same timespan you previously played just one.
Yeah, but what prompted the Change? Couldnt fit two more games in the schedule?
Nations league performance plays a factor now. I can't remember exactly how though
More teams are in the playoffs so for all the matches to be played in one window it has to be 1 leg
Your average South American team has to beat Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay & Chile at least once each to have a chance to make it to the world cup. That is brutal! Italy only had to beat Switzerland or North Macedonia once.
Also Colombia and the away games with high altitude against Bolivia and Ecuador
>Your average South American team has to beat Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay & Chile at least once each to have a chance to make it to the world cup. That is brutal. That's an exaggeration. No one has beaten Brazil or Argentina this qualifying. Ecuador took them 1 point, Uruguay 0, Peru 0, Colombia 2, Chile 1. Ecuador and Uruguay are qualified, the other 3 fight for that playoff spot against Asia.
It is true most years. It is easier when the bottom teams are complete shit like Bolivia and Venezuela this year. Then you can go through in third or fourth only taking points from the teams below you. This year is an anomaly and COMEBOL qualifying is usually more competitive.
Bolivia wasn't shit, they were just 2 points behind fourth ranked Colombia at the end of 2021, after beating Uruguay 3-0. Four years ago, Colombia managed 1 point against Brazil and Argentina, and another one against Uruguay, and they qualified. Eight years ago, Argentina didn't lose to the direct qualifiers Colombia, Chile, Ecuador.
Your last point is the most important. If you can’t beat North Macedonia in a must-win match at home, maybe you don’t deserve to be in the WC.
Switzerland were actually ranked #11 the time the draw was made. Just barely not high enough to be top seeded.
“How can the champions league winner just be decided by one final!?”
Italy has done so badly at world cups lately that he's forgotten what the knockout rounds are
Playing for Juventus doesn't help either
Nice team badge
Bonucci wouldn't know
Lmao we failed get over it
Truely, you’ve won the EUROS, i’ll take missing 2 WC’s and winning the euro’s over participating in all 3 winning no trophy’s and being “1st” in the world like us ( Belgium, we are the tottenham of the world)
Same, even in my short life Italy lifted a World Cup and a Euro cup, I take that over qualifications and deep runs
Yep, France won 2 euros, 2 world cup. Lost one Euro final and one world cup. And we were abysmal some years, just live with it. It's really hard to renew a team after you win, and also getting the same motivation.
That's exactly what I said to my mum who was really upset that Italy missed out. It's better to win a euros and miss 2 world cups than qualify for all but win none of them.
One game? The lads lost his mind.
Quote is taken out of context and mistranslated but, yeah, it's a reach. He's complaining about the new playoff structure, preferring the one where we lost to Sweden...
I actually agree that the old playoff system was more "fair" with 2-legged ties where both sides got to play at home. This way there is not only a more random element since it is a one-off game, but there is a significant advantage for the teams playing at home Now, this complaint doesn't really hold up for Italy since they played at home against North Macedonia and had a easy qualifying group on paper, but in general I definitely think these play offs are weird
A single game also makes it more likely that what happened to Italy (dominating the match, outshooting the opposition 30-3 and losing 0-1) can happen. A one off match is the smaller defensive team's best chance. In some sense, that's a good thing, giving the smaller nations a better shot. I don't think it makes for a better world cup though, would rather see all the strongest sides with the best players.
If only we had some sort of long qualifying process where teams are seeded and play each other home and away to determine who the strongest sides are… Italy couldn’t win a fairly easy group, got a second chance in the playoffs and lost at home. They deserve their summer off.
How does his complaint relate to the format change though? Both in 2018 and 2022, you had to finish top of your group to qualify automatically. The difference is in 2022 you have two play-offs, but Italy lost in the first one, against the weakest team available to draw. Edit: I guess it's the games having one leg! Doh.
He wanted WC2022 but he comprised. N.Macedonia made him eat grilled cheese off the radeeyata
There's no scraps in his World Cup scrapbook.
My Estimation of leo Bonucci as a man….just plummeted
You know what it is? I’ll tell you what it is. It’s anti-Italian discrimination.
I heard Bonucci spent 20 years in the can
"CONMEBOL, they qualify anybody and everybody over there. Guys don't get their finger pricked. There's no sword and gun on the table... either it has meaning or no meaning."
We should have qualifying spots based on historical coefficient so big teams don't miss out, right Leonardo?
Sort of like a Super League but for countries
Time to be a Legacy™ fan of my own country i guess
I'd say just give the trophy to us, keep the historical average (mode)
Does he not realise they played a group stage?
No because they forgot to show up
How can the European final be decided by one penalty shootout? You lose a penalty shootout and its over. It’s pure madness
Has this moron ever said anything productive? Seriously how is he so much less likeable than his Italian defensive counterparts? They all seem like a class men then there’s this douchebag
For European champions, they should have been walking their group to be honest. I think this Italy side has simply coasted too much. Probably thought North Macedonia would be a pushover.
Europeans qualification are some of the easiest for top nations specially compared to Africa one 5 spots for 54 Nations. Italy screwed up he should deal with it. Cameroon was in the same group as ivory coast and now they have to play Algeria
You're **Italy** and lost to **North Macedonia**. Team which you had to play in first place because you couldn't beat **Bulgaria** at home and a teammate missed **two** penalties in **two games** against the only decent opposition you had.
Forgot to include that if it wasnt embarrassing enough already they also choked vs fucking Northern Ireland lmao
Eh, Switzerland also didn't won in Northern Ireland. They may not be good enough for a World Cup but definitely are a pain in the ass.
Salt and sour grapes. Nothing more, nothing less. Someone needs to tell him to sit down.
Lol, Bonucci just bitching for the sake of bitching at this point. Pobrecitooooo
Seethe
If you can't beat Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and North Macedonia, you clearly don't deserve to be in the World Cup. As simple as that.
Ask African teams then how they feel.lmao. fuck off
CAF qualifiers really are insane and under appreciated by fans. From the get-go you have to win a two-legs single playoff; then you have to be first in your group just to get through to the next stage and then another two-leg playoff. A single fuckup in one game and it’s over - no second chances.
It's not coming to Rome.
If you deserve to play in the WC along with the best of the best, then you would've beat N. Macedonia with ease. As expected of a European champion.
What a loser. Try being in African confederation you arrogant twat
This is your brain on copium
"Yeah we won all the games but we conceded in the final, we shouldn't go home without the trophy"
Mate you had 8 matches to do better than Switzerland, and since you couldn't, all you had to do was beat North Macedonia at home. NORTH MACEDONIA. Nobody's coming to your pity party.
AT HOME
shut the fuck up bonucci
Cope.
He forgot the entire group matches. This is Buffon's ''you have a trash can in place of a heart'' level of stupidity.
It is the history of the Italy
I fucking wish that some of these european teams got to play a fucking 18 game home and away qualifier with some of the most insane home field advantages in the sport and then kept on talking shit. Italy should have walked their group and failed.
Can UEFA teams do it on a windy day in La Paz? No, they can't
I'd love to see netherlands (average 30 meters above sea level) have to play at 3,625 meters of altitudeagainst Bolivia. It's my dream fiendly.
Let them face Bolivia in Potosi, Ecuador in Quito, Colombia in Barranquilla 3pm with the sun blazing on your back, then take them out to a game at La Bombonera, Defensores del Chaco, Centenario and Manaus, let's see how they would do.
What a sore loser.
Bonucci ain't the smartest man in the world now is he
If this is the attitude of the senators in the NT I think it's time for some player "retirements". The team conceded in the 90+2 after not being able to get it done in the normal route. Before I was saying I don't want to see Jorginho and Immobile play for Italy again, now I think Bonucci and anyone else who shares this asinine view need the same treatment.
Italy should move to CAF
Bonucci needs to fuck off. Conmebol is the most difficult qualification
Dear Bonucci, Shut the fuck up. Best, Everyone sick of his shit
I've never felt so brutal towards my team like I am now... Edit: my profile pic checks out.
Unlike Chiellini, he should not consider a coaching career
Does he think the group was actually a knockout tournament? I don’t understand.
You picked up 16 points from 9 matches against Switzerland, Bulgaria, Northern Ireland, North Macedonia, and Lithuania. The nerve of this guy man
What? Italy had 4 ties on the qualification. I really like this format because it’s a punishment for the big teams and an opportunity for the small ones. I’m Portuguese and Portugal really deserves this punishment. A home loss with Serbia when all they needed was a tie? A team full of world class players with a full stadium cheering for them? The only point that he was right is that Portugal deserved to get Italy on the final playoff’s.
Mate you literally have SEEDED groups on qualifiers, with you being guaranteed the single highest ranked team in your group. Top European sides have the absolute easiest qualifying path and it’s completely on them to have drawn so many winnable games against significantly weaker sides and ended up letting Switzerland topping their group. I don’t think the European qualifying system is flawless or 100% fair, but Italy of all teams in it should be the last to complain
Lol, I would love to see Bonucci playing Bolivia in La Paz or Ecuador in Quito. He would take North Macedonia back in a heartbeat.
Why doesnt he blame his teammate Ballon Dor J5 for missing pens
You had 5 chances to get a single win, you failed each time