Italy vs Bosnia: Dimarco Apologizes After Celebration Controversy

Dimarco regrets Italy's reaction to Bosnia's Wales win

Italy players celebrate Bosnia's win over Wales, sparking controversy. Federico Dimarco apologizes and clarifies reaction. He explains Italy's celebration after Bosnia's win, amid criticism from Pjanic.

Bosnia and Herzegovina secure World Cup playoff spot, Italy reacts with controversy...  

 

Federico Dimarco, Italy's wing-back, emphasized that his country's celebrations were misinterpreted, saying, “I respect all clubs and, above all, all national teams. It was an instinctive reaction; we were among friends watching a penalty shoot-out,” at a press conference at Coverciano, the Italy team's training centre.

Dimarco and his teammates were caught on camera celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina's win over Wales, which secured their spot in the World Cup qualifying final. Dimarco insisted that the reaction was not meant to be disrespectful, stating, “I spoke with Dzeko, a friend, and congratulated him. I repeat, I showed no disrespect to anyone, neither to Bosnia nor to the Bosnians; we are all decent people.”

The controversy sparked criticism from former Bosnia international Miralem Pjanic, who expressed his unhappiness, saying, “Dimarco and the other Azzurri's joy? Honestly, I don't understand why.” Dimarco responded, “I've heard people say we were arrogant. There's really no reason to be, we've missed the last two World Cups.”

Italy is looking to break their World Cup drought as they face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica on Tuesday. The Azzurri finished second to Norway in their qualifying group and recently beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Atalanta. They then witnessed Edin Dzeko's late equalizer against Wales, which forced extra time and ultimately led to Bosnia's penalty shootout win.

Bosnia's path to the playoff final was dramatic, with Dzeko's 86th-minute header forcing extra time, and Kerim Alajbegovic scoring the decisive penalty against Wales. Italy's coach, Gennaro Gattuso, will need his team to be mentally strong, as warned by defender Federico Dimarco, who expects a hostile atmosphere in Zenica.

Miralem Pjanic, former Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder, expressed his disappointment to La Gazzetta dello Sport, saying Italy's celebration was arrogant. The ex-Roma and Juventus star wasn't pleased with the reaction from Italian players like Federico Dimarco and Sandro Tonali after Bosnia secured the playoff spot.

Pjanic's comments reflected the frustration felt by Bosnian fans, while Dimarco insisted the celebration was misinterpreted and that he respects all national teams.

“Dimarco and the other Azzurri's joy? Honestly, I don't understand why,” he said.

“We'll have to create a hellish atmosphere for the match. It'll take real character to come away from Zenica with a win.”

Federico Dimarco, who played alongside Edin Dzeko at Inter Milan, downplayed the controversy, saying Bosnia and Herzegovina shouldn't take offense to Italy's celebration. Dimarco said, emphasizing the reaction was instinctive and among friends watching a tense penalty shootout.

Look at this disrespect and arrogance by Italy. They were already celebrating after we won penalties. We will take this to account in Zenica!pic.twitter.com/P8DCNvpb39

— Bosnian Football (@BosniaNTBall) March 27, 2026

“I spoke with Dzeko, a friend, and congratulated him. I repeat, I showed no disrespect to anyone, neither to Bosnia nor to the Bosnians; we are all decent people,” Dimarco said.

Italy missed out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, failing to qualify via the playoffs – losing to Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022. This makes their upcoming match against Bosnia and Herzegovina a crucial chance to break their World Cup drought.

"I've heard people say we were arrogant. There's really no reason to be, we've missed the last two World Cups,” Dimarco pointed out.

“All that upset me, and I think it was a bit disrespectful to have been filmed at that moment,” he said.

“We absolutely want to qualify for this World Cup; we're a group that gets on well together. We're expecting a hostile atmosphere, but we're Italy, and we have to put in a great performance.”