Left-back Federico Dimarco has denied allegations that he and his Italy teammates lack respect for Bosnia and Herzegovina, who they will take on in Zenica on Tuesday for a place in this year's World Cup, following a video in which they can be seen celebrating their upcoming opponent's shootout win over Wales in the playoff semi-finals on Thursday The video, in which Dimarco and other Italy players show delight at the win having beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 in their semi, has been interpreted as suggesting the Azzurri consider Bosnia an easier obstacle to overcome than Wales and could give their opponents extra motivation.
    The Azzurri, who are in the playoffs after finishing second to Erling Haaland's Norway in their qualification group, risk missing the World Cup for the third consecutive time.
    The four-time world champions also failed to qualify directly for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 and were then ejected in the subsequent playoffs.
    "It was an instinctive reaction," Inter's Dimarco told a press conference at the weekend.
    "We were just watching the penalties.

I absolutely did not disrespect Bosnia or the people of Bosnia.
    "I was called arrogant, but how could I be, given we've missed two World Cups? "That said, I'd add that it was also disrespectful to film us in a setting where we were with friends, family, and even children"
   

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