Disaster again as Italy fails to qualify for World Cup

MILAN (AP) — When Italy missed out on the final World Cup, it was a catastrophe for soccer within the nation.

Lacking one other? There are actually no phrases to precisely describe it.

“NOOOOOOOOO!” screamed the headline on Friday within the Tuttosport newspaper, with all 9 of these Os stretching all the best way throughout the entrance web page.

The Italians, who received the European Championship solely eight months in the past, can actually solely blame themselves for lacking out on this yr’s World Cup in Qatar. The staff did not convert dozens of probabilities within the 1-0 semifinal playoff loss to North Macedonia on Thursday, with Aleksandar Trajkovski scoring in harm time to safe a stunning victory for a rustic ranked 67th on the planet.

“Into hell,” Corriere dello Sport blared on its entrance web page.

Gazzetta dello Sport referred to as it “Out of this world.”

The loss in Palermo definitely got here as a shock to many, however it was additionally predictable for a staff that has been in fast decline since beating England on penalties to win the Euro 2020 title final July.

The staff that set data for successful final yr had received solely two of its eight matches since, together with shedding its first match in additional than three years to Spain within the Nations League.

“Our triumph on the Euros was totally deserved. However then a few of the fortune we had within the event reworked into whole and full dangerous luck,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini mentioned. “It virtually looks like conceding a last-minute purpose was becoming.

“I don’t know what to say. Possibly we shouldn’t even have gotten up to now.”

Right here’s a have a look at the place it went fallacious for Italy this time:

MISSED CHANCES

Italy was in whole management of its World Cup qualifying group till after Euro 2020. That’s when the scoring contact appeared to vanish.

The Azzurri drew 4 of their closing 5 matches and dropped behind Switzerland for the the only automated qualifying place.

Missed alternatives value them dearly in these video games, particularly in opposition to Bulgaria, the place Italy had 27 makes an attempt to its opponent’s 4 and 71% possession however however drew 1-1.

It was the identical drawback within the playoffs in opposition to North Macedonia. Italy had 32 photographs on purpose whereas the guests had solely 4. A type of went in, permitting North Macedonia to advance to the playoff closing in opposition to Portugal on Tuesday.

Italy’s lack of scoring had so involved Mancini that he referred to as up Mario Balotelli for a three-day coaching camp in January, three years after his final look for the Azzurri. He not noted the controversial ahead for the World Cup playoffs, nevertheless.

PENALTIES

Penalties saved Italy at Euro 2020. The Italians beat Spain within the semifinals and England within the closing in shootouts.

However two failed Jorginho makes an attempt from the spot within the qualifying matches in opposition to Switzerland ended up hurting dangerous. One match ended 0-0, the opposite 1-1.

If Italy had received both of these two matches, they’d have completed forward of Switzerland and gained automated qualification to this yr’s event in Qatar.

“Actually, it’s tough as a result of we have now to have a look at the fact, and I put myself in there, too,” Jorginho mentioned after Thursday’s match. “It hurts after I take into consideration the 2 penalties, as a result of I do nonetheless take into consideration them and I’ll take into consideration them for the remainder of my life, sadly.

“Stepping up there twice and never with the ability to assist your staff and your nation is one thing that I’ll carry with me endlessly, and it weighs on me a lot. Individuals say now we have to transfer on, however it nonetheless hurts.”

SERIE A

The Italian nationwide staff’s latest poor kind has been mirrored at membership degree in Serie A.

Juventus and Inter Milan have been eradicated from the Champions League within the spherical of 16, whereas AC Milan and Atalanta didn’t even make it previous the group stage. No Italian membership has received a European trophy since Inter received the Champions League in 2010.

Furthermore, there’s a clear discord between the golf equipment and the nationwide staff. Serie A refused the Italian soccer federation’s request to amend its calendar and transfer the league matches from the weekend earlier than the playoffs, which might have allowed Mancini extra time along with his gamers.

“It’s clear that there’s all the time nice resistance from the golf equipment in the direction of the nationwide staff,” federation president Gabriele Gravina mentioned. “The nationwide staff is seen extra as an annoyance than one thing that unites a whole nation.”

Gravina acknowledged that there must be institutional reforms.

“The loss this night makes us perceive that one thing must be accomplished in Italian soccer,” he mentioned. “For instance, let’s begin by determining what we are able to do for the numerous kids who don’t get alternatives throughout our leagues and the way we are able to fill this hole.”

___

Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports