Pandev, on the Italy-North Macedonia playoff: “It’s the game I never wanted”

The striker of Parma Goran Pandevfootball legend of North MacedoniaHe assured this Wednesday that the clash between Italy and North Macedonia in the playoffs for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a match that he did not want because of his love for both countries.

Italy and North Macedonia their presence in the play-off final will be played this Thursday in what is presented as the first step to obtain the passport for Qatar. Italy did not attend the previous World Cup edition and arrives at the appointment as champion of Europeso the pressure on the ‘azzurra’ is much greater than for the Balkan country.

“It’s the game I never wanted, especially in the semi-finals. Macedonia is everything to me, but Italy has given me everything and is the country where my children were born. Playing the European champions away from home is certainly not ideal. Italylike Portugal with Turkey, is the favorite. But it is also true that the pressure is all on them”, declared 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 Italyin teams like Inter, Napoli, Lazio or Genoa, among others. He is now a member of the Parmafrom Series B.

The Macedonian, despite still being 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 games. There are a lot of young people and it’s fair that they gain experience in such important games.”

Pandev stated that the Macedonian team is “attentive and motivated”, and recalls that just a year ago they beat the Germany in the qualifying phase for the World Cup

“We are more attentive and motivated, it is true. The Balkan mentality is this, you can win in Germany because everyone wants to face it to compete and show off, and then lose to Andorra,” he said.

“We’ve made a lot of people happy and it’s important because there are so many problems with us. On Thursday my teammates will give their best,” he added.

For the game, North Macedonia will be without one of its best players, Elif Elmasa striker who plays for Naples: “For Italy it is an advantage, because he is fundamental, 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“.

By contrast, Italy will not have Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellinihis starting central pair, something that Pandev he believes it benefits his country.

“For a forward it is very difficult to play against them, they know each other by heart. If Giorgio (Chiellini) doesn’t play, much better for us, although I like (Alessandro) Bastoni a lot: he is the natural heir.”he explained.