Italy's World Cup Agony: Donnarumma's Cheat Sheet Nicked by Cheeky Ball Boy as Inter Plot Quick Rebound

Picture this: Italy, the four-time world champs, staring down another World Cup absence. For the third tournament running, the Azzurri crashed out, this time on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zenica. Down to 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni saw red, they scraped a 1-1 draw after extra time, only to bottle it in the shootout.

Francesco Pio Esposito was one of two Italians to fluff his Panenka, and Gianluigi Donnarumma? The usually unflappable keeper didn't lay a glove on the Bosnian spot-kicks. He was fuming, screaming at their stopper Nikola Vasilj. Turns out, it wasn't sour grapes – someone had swiped his secret weapon.

The Ball Boy Heist That Stole the Show

As reported by Susy Campanale at Football Italia, the culprit was no rival pro, but a crafty 14-year-old ball boy from Celik's youth setup, Afan Cizmic. Spotted the cheat sheet peeking from under Donnarumma's towel, he nicked it and hid the lot – directions on where Bosnians liked to stick their pens.

"I realised immediately what it was," the kid bragged to local telly. Without it, Gigio was flying blind. Bosnian fans are now campaigning for him to tag along to the World Cup as mascot. Cheeky or unsporting? You decide, but it added a proper pantomime twist to Italy's misery.

Haris Tabakovic's equaliser had Bosnia dreaming big, and the shootout sealed Italy's fate. National papers called it the "third apocalypse". Gennaro Gattuso has stepped down as boss, while Donnarumma wonders if he'll ever grace a World Cup pitch. Ouch.

Chivu's Inter Lads: Champions Who Bounce Back

Over at Inter Milan, gaffer Cristian Chivu isn't hitting the panic button. Five of his stars – Bastoni, Esposito, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, and Davide Frattesi – were in the Azzurri wreckage. But Chivu, speaking ahead of Sunday's San Siro clash with Roma, backed them to the hilt, per PA via ESPN Italy.

"I've got champions in my squad," he said. "They've had setbacks but always come back stronger. This is football – upsets happen." With the Nerazzurri top of Serie A by six points over AC Milan, despite a dodgy three-game winless streak, confidence is high. Unbeaten at home since late November? That's the San Siro fortress talking.

Boost incoming: Lautaro Martínez, Serie A's top scorer with 14 goals, is back from a calf layoff that's sidelined him for seven games. "Everyone's key, Lautaro included," Chivu added, namechecking Luis Henrique and Andy Diouf too. Roma, stewing in sixth – eight points off Napoli's third – have won just three of their last nine in the league. Their Champions League push? Fading fast under Gian Piero Gasperini.

"It's a huge game," Chivu warned. "We need intensity and character." Eight matches left, and the next one's massive.

Silver Lining Amid the Tears

Italy's World Cup woes sting – no excuses from Gab Marcotti, who called it a straight-up failure. But for Inter, it's business as usual. Chivu's faith in his "great men with values" could spark a title charge. And that ball boy? He's the unlikely hero of Bosnia's biggest night in ages.

Football, eh? One minute you're plotting pens from a crib sheet, the next a kid's ruined your night. Here's hoping the Azzurri regroup, but for now, Inter fans: crack open a cold one. Your lads are leading the pack.

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