The Luciano Spalletti has begun with a draw. The Azzurri drew 1-1 with North Macedonia in Skopje, making qualification for EURO 2024 all the tougher. Following in the footsteps of Trajkovski, who stunned Italy in Palermo in that World Cup play-off, Bardhi it was this time who ruined the Azzurri’s night. Italy now have to beat Ukraine in Milan on Tuesday to draw level on points with our coming guests. The Ukrainians caused England to drop points for the first time in qualifying after drawing earlier this evening. Ciro Immobile, who wore the armband tonight for the first time, scored for the Azzurri but it wasn’t enough as Bardhi equalised with a late free kick.

THE GAME.  As widely predicted, Luciano Spalletti went with a 4-3-3, with Immobile the focal point of an attacking trio that included Politano and Zaccagni. Cristante, Barella and Tonali operated in the engine room ahead of a back four featuring Bastoni and Mancini in the centre, and Di Lorenzo and Dimarco on the flanks. Six European champions on the pitch, and five who played in Palermo in the play-off. Though Italy have a new coach, tonight’s team was an experienced one.

In Spalletti’s first game as head coach, Italy looked to get on the front foot right from the off. The poor condition of the playing surface didn’t exactly make the Azzurri’s life easy as they tried to break down the stiff defensive wall erected by the hosts. The two full-backs often inverted, switching positions with a central midfielder, and the Inter connection of Dimarco and Barella combined to send the full-back through on goal, but he decided to look for Immobile rather than shoot. One minute later, Cristante header wide from Dimarco’s corner.

Both sides had big chances around the 20-minute mark. The first fell to North Macedonia, who came close through Miovski after the hosts latched onto a loose ball from Politano and broke free. Then, Tonali got onto the end of Barella’s ball over the top and his ensuing effort struck the post to the keeper’s right. Another chance fell Italy’s way: Dimarco’s corner found Cristante again but goalkeeper Dimitrievski got down well to make the stop. The game was lively and North Macedonia put together some forward moves of their own, as Alioski often found himself with open space to run into. Elmas also had a go, but Donnarumma had no issues. In the 40th minute, Dimaco, often acting as an added playmaker, looked for Immobile in the box, it dropped to Politano whose effort was blocked by Alioski. 0-0 at the break.

Spalletti looked to the bench at half time, sending on Zaniolo in place of Politano. Two minutes later, Italy scored. Barella’s wicked effort struck the crossbar and Immobile was placed to head home his 17th international goal, his first as captain. Skopje is often kind to the Lazio striker, having scored a brace in his only previous match in North Macedonia back in October 2016. Mancini went off injured to be replaced by Scalvini. And the Azzurri dropped deeper and deeper as the hosts went in search of an equaliser.

In the 67th minute, North Macedonia had their first chance of the half: Elmas sent his curling shot just wide. That was the prelude to Bardhi’s goal, who rifled a beautifully-struck free kick past Donnarumma. The 22,000 home fans in the Arena Todor Proeski got behind their time, all the while Gnonto and Biraghi had come on for Zaccagni and Dimarco. Spalletti also turned to Raspadori late on, but the Azzurri’s final efforts bore no fruit. It ended 1-1, the same result as in the game between Ukraine and England.