Northern Ireland defender Paddy McNair said that Italy “were there for the taking” during the World Cup semi-final play-off in Bergamo, which Michael O’Neill’s side lost 2-0.
The away side frustrated Italy during the opening 45 minutes before second-half goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean secured their place in the play-off final.
Gennaro Gattuso’s outfit will now face Bosnia-Herzegovina as they aim to book their spot in the World Cup for the first time since 2014.
“It is frustrating, I feel like they were there for the taking,” McNair told BBC Sport NI.
“I know Italy is a big nation. I have played against a lot of big nations before and I think, at the minute, they are not at the level they once were.
“It is gutting to be honest.”
NI ‘will learn from’ defeat
It took two well-taken strikes to break down Northern Ireland’s defence and end their dream of making their first World Cup in 40 years.
Tonali edged the former World Cup champions ahead through a stunning strike with Kean then firing low into the bottom corner.
Despite a valiant effort, Northern Ireland struggled to create chances in the final third and couldn’t set up a nervy finish for the Italian fans.
“Tonali scores a good goal from the edge of the box, and it gives them a lift,” McNair continued.
“The crowd was getting on their backs at times and we wanted to stay in the game as long as possible. The second goal killed the game off.
“We could have played the ball better at times. I thought times we played through the press and there was lots of space and I think we maybe rushed our attacks.”
Northern Ireland were missing key players such as Conor Bradley, Dan Ballard and Ali McCann through injury with the average age just 22.5 years old, the second-youngest average since World War Two.
McNair was the only player in the starting XI who played in Northern Ireland’s last major tournament, the 2016 Euros in France.
The 30-year-old added that the side have a “bright future” ahead of them as they aim to bounce back during their friendly against Wales on Tuesday, 31 March.
“There is talent throughout the team,” he added.
“Players who didn’t get on the pitch tonight as well, there is a lot of strength and depth and I think Northern Ireland have a bright future to come.
“We have got a really young group, so there will be many years of this team and tonight we will learn from and go forward.”
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