Giorgio Chiellini bowed out of international football and warned a "difficult period" awaited Italy as Roberto Mancini bids to get the Azzurri back on track.
The joy of winning last year's delayed Euro 2020 tournament has been replaced by rapid deflation after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.
Having also missed out on the Russia 2018 finals, falling short of a place at Qatar 2022 represented crushing disappointment for the four-time winners.
Chiellini, the 37-year-old defensive titan who is leaving Juventus and expected to join Los Angeles FC, has called time on his Italy career.
He played the first half on Wednesday in a 3-0 defeat to Argentina at Wembley, in a match tagged as the Finalissima, a clash of the champions of Europe and South America.
"We were hoping to win the match and the trophy," Chiellini told Italian broadcaster RAI. "We knew it would be tough, but the defeat does not cancel what has gone before.
"Now I expect a difficult period. We need everyone to support this group."
Chiellini lasted just 45 minutes in his farewell game, with Italy 2-0 up by the time he departed.
This was the first staging of the CONMEBOL/UEFA 'Cup of Champions' since 1993. Lautaro Martinez, Angel Di Maria and Paulo Dybala got the goals as Lionel Messi pulled the strings
It was a sorry way for Chiellini to go out, and he said: "It's a shame because in the first half we made a lot of mistakes and we ruined the match by ourselves."
Turning his attention to Argentina, he added: "Above all, at this moment they are too strong, they have confidence and they are a team. They look like us a year ago."
Italy, without Chiellini, will switch their focus to the Nations League. They face Germany on Saturday and again on June 14 – matches against Hungary and England are sandwiched in between.
Writing on his Instagram page, Chiellini reflected on the end of a 117-cap career.
He wrote: "Thanks to everyone, it's been a beautiful journey."
Trip of a Lifetime! JustBet to take lucky football fan to London for UCL Finals 2024
Pepetho Barrett, a devoted Real Madrid fan, is walking on air after winning an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the UEFA Champions League final between Dortmund and Real Madrid at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London courtesy of JustBet and SportsMax.
Overflowing with excitement, Barrett exclaimed, "I am still in shock. It's a dream come true to watch my team live. I'm so grateful to JustBet for providing me with an opportunity that seemed out of reach," he added. “Winning this trip is amazing and knowing that I get to watch my team, Real Madrid live, makes it a trip of a lifetime!”
JustBet, Jamaica's premier sports betting and entertainment brand presented Barrett with a symbolic boarding pass at Sabina Park during the hotly contested Jamaica Premier League semi-finals on Sunday, May 12, 2024.
In addition to the main prize, Anthony Belcher secured the third-place prize, claiming a brand new Apple iPhone 15 Prom Max. Steven Lindsay emerged as the second-place winner, walking away with a cutting-edge entertainment system complete with a TV, PS5, and soundbar.
“Sports betting is our fastest growing segment at Supreme Ventures and so it made sense for us to enhance our customers betting experience by partnering with Sportsmax to offer a chance to win a once-in- a-lifetime experience at the UCL Finals,” remarked, Kamal Powell, Head of Marketing at Supreme Ventures Limited. “There’s much more in store for us here at JustBet so we encourage our players to join the action and don’t miss an opportunity to feel the thrill of winning.”
The highly anticipated match that represents the pinnacle of club football is set for June 1.
Cavalier’s 'Busy' Atkinson takes aim at second Jamaica Premier League title: "It would mean a lot to me and my teammates..."
Dwayne ‘Busy’ Atkinson scored his sixth and arguably most crucial goal of the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League season when he netted the opening goal for Cavalier FC against Arnett Gardens FC in their return leg semi-final at Sabina Park on Sunday.
With the tie delicately poised at 1-1 after the first leg, it was evident that in a match defined by fine margins, the first goal in the return leg would be pivotal.
The match was only 15 minutes old when Atkinson converted from the penalty spot to put the ball in the back of the net, giving Cavalier a 1-0 lead on the day and a 2-1 advantage on aggregate.
A stunning strike by Adrian Reid in the sixth minute of added time at the end of the first half then provided last season’s runners-up with a perfect 2-0 cushion heading into halftime. Keith Simpson's stoppage-time goal in the 94th minute was only a consolation for Waterhouse, as the game concluded 3-2 on aggregate in favor of Cavalier.
Atkinson was just 19 years old when he clinched the title with Cavalier in 2021. Having gained valuable experience overseas playing in Iceland last year, he hopes that the lessons learned in Europe will prove beneficial when they face Mount Pleasant FA in the final for a second consecutive season.
The designated penalty taker for Cavalier revealed that he was confident when he stepped up to take the spot-kick against Arnett Gardens goalkeeper Eric Edwards.
He also emphasized the importance of scoring first for Cavalier to quieten the vocal Arnett Gardens fan base.
“It was really important for us to take the lead against a team like Arnett, who have such a large fan base,” he noted.
While expressing confidence ahead of Sunday’s showdown against the reigning champions, Atkinson remained mindful of the threat they pose.
“I am very confident of victory, but Mount Pleasant is a very good team, so I need to put in a lot of work with the boys and stay focused for this one,” said the diminutive winger.
Last year’s painful defeat in the final has been a driving force for Cavalier all season, especially for Atkinson and his teammate Richard King, who were both playing for Vestmannaeyjar FC in Iceland at this time last year.
They both missed the final and are thrilled to have the opportunity to rectify last year’s disappointment.
Atkinson admitted that it was agonizing to watch from afar and not be able to assist his team, but he is now ready to claim his second premier league title come Sunday.
“I have no words to describe how I felt last year, not being able to help my teammates, but I was playing for another team in another league at that time. This season, we have worked hard and have been dedicated to achieving our championship goals.”
“It would mean a lot to me and my teammates to win this season because, as you can see, there is a lot of talk going around that Cavalier only won the JPL during ‘corona time,’ so winning this one would be fantastic,” he explained.
Surprisingly, Atkinson says he would have preferred to play the final at Sabina Park.
“I would have preferred to play the final at Sabina Park instead of the National Stadium because it has a better pitch than the stadium.”
The 22-year-old is gearing up to put on a show in the final with hopes of securing another overseas contract at the end of it all.
“I believe that an outstanding performance in the final could help me secure another overseas contract, so I want to deliver for my team,” he acknowledged.
Cavalier and Mount Pleasant will battle it out in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League finals at the National Stadium on Sunday, May 19, starting at 6:30 pm.
NB: The Jamaica Premier League final will be aired live on Sportsmax.
Orlando City 0-0 Inter Miami: Messi-less Herons held by Florida rivals
MLS leaders Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by state rivals Orlando City on Wednesday, as they failed to spark in Lionel Messi's absence.
Messi was missing from the squad due to a knee injury, and Miami were unable to extend their winning run to six MLS games without their superstar.
Indeed, other than a few Luis Suarez attempts, Orlando had the better of the chances at Inter&Co Stadium.
Yutaro Tsukada might have won it for Orlando on his debut, but the substitute sliced off target late on.
Miami are a point clear of FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference, and Gerardo Martino will hope to have Messi back for the Herons' clash with D.C. United.
Data Debrief: Miami's unbeaten run rolls on
They may not have taken all three points, but Miami are now unbeaten in eight MLS matches. It is their longest unbeaten streak in the competition.
Orlando, meanwhile, have failed to score in five of their 12 games this term; no team has failed to do so more often in MLS.
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