Italy defender Federico Dimarco has moved quickly to shut down controversy surrounding his post-match gesture following Bosnia’s win over Wales.
Speaking from Coverciano ahead of Italy’s decisive playoff final, Dimarco made it clear there was no disrespect intended—just a moment taken out of context.
“There’s no reason to be arrogant,” he said. “We’ve missed the last two World Cups. I respect every club and every national team.”
A misunderstood moment
The incident—captured on video after Bosnia secured their place in the playoff final—sparked debate in Italy, with some interpreting Dimarco’s reaction as dismissive toward the upcoming opponent.
The Inter full-back strongly rejected that narrative.
“It was an instinctive reaction among friends and teammates,” he explained. “I also think it was wrong that the video was taken in a private setting, with families and children around.”
Message to Džeko
Dimarco also revealed he reached out directly to Edin Džeko, a former teammate and one of Bosnia’s key figures.
“I wrote to him,” Dimarco said. “We have a great relationship. He told me, ‘May the best team win.’”
The exchange highlights the mutual respect between the two players—despite the high stakes of the upcoming clash.
Focus shifts to Zenica
With the controversy addressed, Dimarco quickly turned his attention to the match that matters most: the playoff final in Zenica.
“We expect a very intense atmosphere,” he said. “But we are Italy—we have to deliver a great performance.”
The defender emphasized the importance of mental strength in such a high-pressure environment.
“The mind controls everything,” he added. “If we stay focused for 90 minutes, we can bring home the result.”
Team-first mentality
Dimarco also stressed the need for collective effort against a Bosnia side that combines experience and youth.
“We’ll have to defend as a team,” he said. “They have quality players, and we know it won’t be easy.”
Reflecting on Italy’s recent win over Northern Ireland, he pointed to the squad’s resilience as a key positive.
“After Retegui’s missed chance, we didn’t lose confidence,” he noted. “We stayed in the game mentally—and that made the difference.”
With a place in the 2026 World Cup on the line, Dimarco’s message is clear: no distractions, no misunderstandings—just focus.
Italy has already taken one step.
Now, everything will be decided in Zenica.
