- Tonali will miss out on World Cup
- Italy beaten on penalties by Bosnia
- Newcastle future uncertain
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali took on Bosnia & Herzegovina in their World Club playoff, but it would end in despair for the 25-year-old. They suffered a 4-1 penalty shootout loss after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
The four-time World Cup winners have collapsed once, as it will now be the third time in a row they have failed to qualify for football’s biggest tournament.
The Italian’s took the lead through Moise Kean, with an excellent strike from distance, but an Alessandro Bastoni red card gave Bosnia a fighting chance. As the game headed towards the final stages, Haris Tabakovic levelled up the game.
Previous Magpies target Francesco Pio Espostio and Bryan Cristante missed from the spot, and 21-year-old Esmir Bajraktarevic made them pay as Bosnia qualified for this summer’s World Cup.
Tonali is Italy’s Bright Spark
Italy have produced a number of legendary players in football’s history, but it is currently going through its worst period as a nation. Gli Azzurri did win the Euros in 2021, beating England in the final at Wembley, but their continued disappointment in qualifying tournaments has become a common theme over the last decade.
Tonali has become one of the team’s main men, and they have benefited from having him in the side, as he has set up well alongside Nicolo Barella. While the Italians have a decent squad overall, they lack the depth and quality of other top nations, which has seen them slowly fall down the pecking order.
Tonali has made 32 caps for his country and is yet to play in a major tournament for Gli Azzurri, and he will have to wait at least two more years for that to be a possibility.
Will it be in a Newcastle shirt?
The Italian will be hoping he can help his country qualify for the Euros in 2028, which takes place in England and Ireland, but will he still be featuring in the Black and White shirt of Newcastle?
The St James’ Park outfit is set to have its worst season under manager Eddie Howe, unless they can make a significant comeback in the final weeks of the campaign.
Tonali has made it clear that he wants to play in Europe’s elite competitions, and if Howe’s side isn’t able to offer that, he might look for a way out.
Tonali’s agent recently claimed that a move to England was on the agenda as it could give him the chance to play for England’s biggest teams after a spell on Tyneside.
Other reports claim he has a ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ to leave if they miss out on Europe.
His departure would be a huge blow to the side, but members of the Toon Army only want players who truly want to play for the club, after Alexander Isak’s situation last year.
