TEARFUL Jorginho was blasted by Roberto Mancini’s MUM for his role in Italy’s World Cup heartbreak. The Azzurri – who won the European Championships just 257 days earlier – failed to qualify for Qatar 2022.
They were stunned 1-0 at home to North Macedonia on Thursday night, crashing out of the play-offs and ensuring they miss two World Cups in a row.
Manager Mancini’s mum Marianna Puolo was among those in disbelief and she had a dig at Chelsea midfielder Jorginho for contributing to the shock failure.
She told Radiouno: “Unfortunately, mistakes like Jorginho’s cost us.
“I don’t want to point my finger at him because he certainly didn’t do it on purpose, but if you miss three [two] penalties…”
Jorginho missed two spot-kicks in the qualifying group.
Both unsuccessful attempts were against Switzerland as Italy drew 0-0 in Basel and 1-1 in Rome, the latter skied over the bar in injury time. Those dropped points proved crucial as Italy finished second in Group C on 16 points, two behind Switzerland.
Jorginho – whose effort in the Euro 2020 final shootout was saved by Jordan Pickford – was in tears after losing to North Macedonia and insists he is “haunted” by his misses.
He said: “It hurts when I think about it, because I do still think about it and it will haunt me for the rest of my life.
“Stepping up there twice and not being able to help your team and your country is something that I will carry with me forever, and it weighs on me.
“People say we need to lift our heads and carry on, but it’s tough.”
Puolo also questioned her son’s selection choices, believing in-form striker Mario Balotelli should have led the line, and had question marks over the goalkeeper for Aleksandar Trajkovski’s late winner.
