The World Cup playoff second leg against Italy will be an unforgettable match for the Bosnian goalkeeper, and not just because of the final score.
Nikola Vasilj, who plays for FC St. Pauli and the Bosnia national team, has spoken out about the contentious moment during the World Cup playoff penalty shootout involving Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Last week, the Azzurri’s shot-stopper attempted to interfere with Vasilj’s penalty-spot cheat sheet, leading to a brief but intense confrontation. Ultimately, Bosnia secured their qualification for the World Cup, while Italy failed to make the tournament for the third consecutive time.
«We had a bit of an argument,» Vasilj recounted after his Bundesliga match for Hamburg against Union Berlin. «I then tried to talk to the referee and convince him it deserved a yellow card. It was truly unsportsmanlike.»
Donnarumma unsuccessfully tried to tear the note using his gloves. This action deeply angered Vasilj, who, ironically, received a yellow card for his complaints, while the already cautioned Italian escaped without further sanction.
Nikola Vasilj’s Cheat Sheet: «We Had a Backup»
However, Vasilj was not left without guidance for the remainder of the penalty shootout. «Fortunately, my team provided me with a new note,» he explained. «We were thoroughly prepared. We had a second copy.»
Despite the meticulous preparations, the tips on the note ultimately played a minor role in the outcome: Pio Esposito shot over the bar, Bryan Cristante hit the crossbar – and Bosnia qualified for the World Cup regardless of Nikola Vasilj’s direct intervention. «This is something that perhaps only happens once in a lifetime. I am incredibly proud to have been a part of it,» Vasilj stated.