In less than nine months, the Italian national team has gone from haven to hell. After win an Euro Cup, the team of Roberto Mancini is out of World Cup of Qatar 2022. Whiteout doubt, a terrible new for all the fans of football. From the success of “Azzurra” on the streets of the country to a Renzo Barbera of Palermo with people crying after the elimination.
In the interview post game and with all the players of the team very sad because of the way to lose (a goal in minute 92´), Roberto Mancini (ex coach of City or Inter) said this to the media: “If the win of Euro cup on July was my greatest joy, this is without doubts my main disappointment. Sometimes incredible things happen on the football, maybe we should not be here”. Also, some players like Verratti or Ciro Inmobile were devastated.
This is the second consecutive World Cup that Italy will miss. 8 years without being the best. Their last date, Brazil 2014. And they went home on group stage. In South Africa 2010, the same end. A generation full of talent that they won´t be able to fight for a World Cup as their idols as in Berlin 2006.
However, was Italy who got involved in that problem. Go to an retake with Portugal, Macedonia or Turkey was just their fault. Another relevant fact is the stats of the game. Macedonia won the match with just 4 shots (for the 32 of Italy). And the goal of Balkans were on the extra time of the second half. One more misfortune that added to the list.
Another experts on football don´t understand the problem. They think that the problem of Calcio could be a consequence. The low level of the league during this last years could have been the cause of all this mess. This is the third time that Italy is out from the bigger events of national teams. The first one, Sweden 58. The other two in 2018 and 2022. Between this 4 years, an Euro cup. This ridiculous probably will make Mancini go out from the team.
With this unexpected victory, Macedonia will play against Portugal the next Tuesday 29. A match that Portugal is favourite but as we can saw with Italy, anything can happen.
Jorge Barbero
