Italy will once again watch the World Cup from the sidelines after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina confirmed another failed qualification attempt.
For a four-time world champion, the result marks a continued decline. Italy have now missed multiple tournaments, with no clear sign of recovery at senior level.
Head coach Gennaro Gattuso faces scrutiny following the defeat, though the wider issues extend beyond the dugout. Appointed to steady the team after a heavy loss to Norway in qualifying, Gattuso delivered six wins from eight matches and improved team cohesion. However, a 4-1 defeat to Norway at San Siro exposed the limitations of the current squad.
Italy were second best for long periods against Bosnia, losing control after a red card and failing to recover. The defeat has intensified pressure on federation president Gabriele Gravina, with a board review expected.
The current situation highlights a longer trend. Italy have not played a World Cup knockout match since 2006, when they last won the tournament. Even their Euro 2020 success has not translated into sustained progress.
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Former captain Gianluigi Buffon pointed to structural failures, suggesting Italian football failed to evolve after its last World Cup win.
At club level, development pathways have also come under scrutiny. Only a small proportion of Serie A players are eligible for national team selection, raising concerns about opportunities for domestic talent.
The Italian federation has launched a new youth development project aimed at improving coaching and player progression. Led by long-term youth coach Maurizio Viscidi, the initiative targets grassroots structures across the country.
Former national team coach Cesare Prandelli has also called for change, warning that young players are not being developed with enough freedom.
The impact of repeated failure is now clear among supporters. A generation of fans have yet to see Italy compete at a World Cup, while criticism of the federation continues to grow.
Calls for reform are increasing, with many viewing the latest exit not as an isolated result, but as part of a broader decline.
Italy now face a long rebuild, with qualification for the next World Cup far from guaranteed.
– AFP
Photo: REUTERS/Matteo Ciambelli TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
