Palestra: The Bosnia Defeat Still Hurts, We Must Turn the Page

Italy and Chelsea left-back Marco Palestra said that the defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in this year's World Cup play-off final still hurts a lot, and perhaps always will. According to the player, turning the page and writing a new chapter in history is now the footballers' responsibility.

Palestra was called up to the Italy squad for the first time since head coach Roberto Mancini returned to the national team's helm last week. The team will face France and Belgium in the Nations League this week. The 21-year-old was not included in the squad for the season's first international break, as he was recovering from a muscle injury suffered just before the Premier League season began.

The injury meant Palestra, who transferred from Atalanta in the summer, has started only twice in the Premier League. Before the international break, he had begun to appear more regularly in Xabi Alonso's side. The player said he has felt good recently and is going through a positive period. He thanked his coach and teammates and said they had brought him back slowly and calmly.

Palestra said he is not worried that he has yet to contribute a goal or assist at Chelsea. He said scoring is not in his hands, and his real goal is to play well and keep improving. Palestra also described the Premier League as the strongest and most competitive league in the world. He said he was pleased to see many young Italian players getting chances in England.

Palestra came on as a substitute in this year's play-off final. Losing that match also cost Italy the chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.