Federico Dimarco insists he respects all national teams after Italy celebration row | OneFootball

Federico Dimarco has moved to calm a row over Italy’s celebrations, insisting he respects every national side and rejecting claims of arrogance.

Italy face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Wednesday at 20:45 in the European play-off final for a 2026 World Cup place, with tensions sharpened after Azzurri players were filmed applauding Bosnia’s shootout progress at Wales’ expense.

Appearing in Rai footage, the Inter left-back said at Coverciano that it was an instinctive reaction while watching a penalty shootout with friends, adding that he respects all clubs and, above all, all national teams.

He said he had congratulated friend Edin Dzeko and maintained he had shown no disrespect to Bosnia or Bosnians. Dimarco added that talk of arrogance was misplaced, noting Italy missed the last two World Cups, and felt it was disrespectful to have been filmed at that moment.

“The joy of Dimarco and the other Azzurri? Honestly, I do not understand why,” said Miralem Pjanic, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

“They will have to manage the match in a hellish atmosphere. They will need personality to leave Zenica with a victory.”

Dimarco said the squad are united and desperate to qualify, and that Italy must deliver a big performance.

Source: L'Équipe