Jorginho told "enough is enough" in brutal reality check for Arsenal star

18 November 2023 , 14:54

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Jorginho told "enough is enough" in brutal reality check for Arsenal star

Jorginho has been brutally told his penalty technique no longer works after the midfielder missed his fourth successive spot-kick for Italy on Friday night.

With the group already sewn up by England, the Euro 2020 winners kicked-off at the Stadio Olimpico with the defence of their title still very much in the balance. An eventual 5-2 win left them level on points with Ukraine ahead of a huge showdown between the two sides in Germany on Monday.

But Luciano Spalletti's men made life difficult for themselves after storming into a 3-0 lead at the break. Indeed, after Matteo Darmian had fired them into an early lead, Jorginho was given his chance from 12 yards.

Following his customary hop and skip in his run-up, the 31-year-old produced a tame effort that was easily saved by Stole Dimitrievsk. And the miss was anything but isolated in his country's colours, extending a run that goes back to being thwarted by Jordan Pickford in that final shootout at Wembley.

He then missed twice in different fixtures against Switzerland in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, arguably costing his side a place in Qatar. But despite his recent record, Spalletti insisted afterwards that the midfielder would continue to take responsibility from the spot.

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Not everyone adhered to that view though, with 1982 World Cup winner Beppe Bergomi hitting out on Sky Sport Italia , saying: “With all due respect, Jorginho has to bow down to the evidence here and admit penalties are no longer for him.

Jorginho's weak penalty was easily saved (@ViaplaySportsUK)

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"That style of taking spot-kicks just does not work anymore and today we got confirmation beyond doubt. We can appreciate his character and mental strength in going up there again, but I’d say now enough is enough. He has to go to the coach and say let someone else take the next one.”

The mishap seemed to matter little when Federico Chiesa twice struck in the closing moments in the half. But the visitors stormed back after the break as Jani Atanasov struck twice to set-up a tense finish.

Late goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Stephan El Shaarawy eventually settled matters. It means a draw on Monday will be enough for the Azzuri to secure their spot in Germany next summer.

Fraser Watson