Romain Rouillard / Photo credit: CLAUDIO VILLA / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP
The Italians were very… very hot. Reigning European champion, the Nazionale narrowly validated its ticket for Euro 2024 after a draw against Ukraine (0-0), in a match relocated to Leverkusen, due to the Russian invasion. New coach Luciano Spalletti’s men finished second in Group C, behind England, and tied on points with their evening opponent, whom they beat thanks to their 2-1 victory in Milan last September.
Beyond the disappointment of failing so close to the goal, the Ukrainians woke up this Tuesday with a feeling of anger. In the 93rd minute, as their team pushed to force the Italian lock and snatch a victory synonymous with qualification, winger Mykhaïlo Mudryk was apparently mowed down in the penalty area by Bryan Cristante. A highly contentious action which could (should?) have offered a penalty to the Ukrainians, but before which the Spanish referees will not flinch. Despite the intervention of the VAR, the assistants of Mr. Jesus Gil Manzano did not consider it necessary to call him in front of the screens.
“The VAR assistant had fled to the toilet”
“From my point of view, there was a penalty,” reacted quickly the Ukrainian coach, Serhiy Rebrov, who however did not wish to overwhelm the refereeing body. “I wasn’t there (in the penalty area) and it’s just my feeling.”
A feeling also shared… in Italy. “In the final seconds, Gil Manzano pretended not to see the penalty which would have allowed Ukraine to exploit a great opportunity. The VAR assistant had briefly fled to the toilet (prostate inflammation, j ‘imagine) and in short… It didn’t go well, but went very well”, writes journalist Ivan Zazzaroni in an editorial published in the Corriere Dello Sport.
Ukraine not yet eliminated
A frustrating scenario for Ukraine that some do not hesitate to connect to the comments made by UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in the Italian newspaper LaPresse last October. Asked to comment on a possible non-qualification of the Nazionale for the next European Championship, the boss of European football replied that it would be a “disaster” and that Italy was “too important “. Comments, reiterated Monday evening a few hours before the match, which had also annoyed the Ukrainian ranks. Coach Serhiy Rebrov admitted that Čeferin’s exit had “angered his men” but also caused additional motivation.
Despite this unfavorable outcome, Ukraine retains a chance of qualifying for Euro 2024. Zbirna will thus be able to count on its good results during the last League of Nations which offer it a ticket for the play-offs from which it will have to emerge victorious.