Inter Milan Stars Deliver A Mixed Bag Of Performances As Italy Suffer FIFA World Cup Playoff Heartbreak | OneFootball

Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco, and Alessandro Bastoni failed to help Italy qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

According to Tuttosport via FCInterNews, the Inter Milan stalwarts delivered a mixed bag of performances against Bosnia & Herzegovina last night.

Italy enjoyed a dream start to their qualifying playoff tie in Zenica, as Moise Kean broke the deadlock in the 15th minute.

Moreover, it was Nicolo Barella who set up the Fiorentina talisman for the opening goal.

Indeed, the Nerazzurri midfielder teed up the former Juventus star with a defense-splitting pass after Nikola Vasilj’s blunder.

However, Gennaro Gattuso’s tactical setup fell apart on the stroke of halftime.

Barella Impresses, Bastoni Falters as Italy Miss Out on FIFA World Cup

Alessandro Bastoni, whose future at San Siro is hanging by a thread, made a costly error toward the end of the first half.

Indeed, the 26-year-old failed to get away with a cynical tackle on Amar Memic, receiving a straight red card.

Bastoni’s sending-off dampened Italy’s spirits while fueling Bosnia’s comeback hopes.

Meanwhile, despite his well-documented offensive prowess, Federico Dimarco has never been known as a reliable defender.

Furthermore, Bosnia exploited Dimarco’s shortcomings in the 79th minute as Haris Tabakovic scored an equalizer to take the game into extra time.