Pandev, on the Italy-Macedonia repechage: “It's the match I never wanted”

Rome, 23 Mar Parma striker Goran Pandev, football legend from North Macedonia, assured this Wednesday that the clash between Italy and North Macedonia in the repechage for the Qatar 2022 World Cup is a match he did not want because of his love for both countries. Italy and North Macedonia will play their presence this Thursday in the final of the repechage in what is presented as the first step towards obtaining the passport to Qatar. Italy did not attend the previous World Cup edition and reached the event as European champion, so the pressure on the 'azzurra' is much greater than that of the Balkan country. “It's the game I never wanted, especially in the semifinals. Macedonia is everything to me, but Italy has given me everything and it is the country where my children were born. Playing with the European champions away from home is certainly not ideal. Italy, like Portugal with Turkey, is the favorite. But it is also true that the pressure is all on them”, said the footballer in an interview with 'Corriere della Sera'. Pandev is a Macedonian legend. The striker is the best player in his history and has developed his football career in Italy, in teams such as Inter, Naples, Lazio and Genoa, among others. Now he plays in Serie B's Parma. The Macedonian, despite remaining active as a footballer, is no longer part of the national team. He hung up his boots after North Macedonia's success at Euro 2020: “Before the Euro I told the team that it would be my last matches. There are a lot of young people and it's only fair that they gain experience in such important matches.” Pandev said that the Macedonian national team is “attentive and motivated”, and recalls that just a year ago they won the German team in the qualifying phase for the World Cup “We are more attentive and motivated, it's true. The Balkan mentality is this, it can be won in Germany because everyone wants to face it to compete and show off, and then lose to Andorra,” he said. “We have made a lot of people happy and it's important because there are so many problems with us. On Thursday my teammates will do their best,” he added. For the match, North Macedonia will not be able to count on one of its best players, Elif Elmas, a striker who plays for Naples: “For Italy it is an advantage, because it is essential, he is the strongest player and could put the 'Azzurri' in trouble. They have plenty of quality and can afford to leave someone like Balotelli at home.” On the other hand, Italy will not be able to use Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, its starting central partner, something Pandev believes benefits his country. “It is very difficult for a striker to play against them, they know each other by heart. If Giorgio (Chiellini) doesn't play, much better for us, although I really like (Alessandro) Bastoni: he is the natural heir”, he explained. CHIEF tfc/mr/ism