Alessandro Florenzi is looking ahead to ‘a better future’ for Italy following their World Cup play-off defeat.
The Azzurri suffered a painful 1-0 loss to North Macedonia at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo on Thursday last week, breaking hearts up and down the peninsula as Italy missed out on their second consecutive World Cup. It’ll be a long two years until the team have a chance to compete for a major trophy again.
Writing on his Instagram page, Florenzi commented on the failure to qualify for the World Cup and he looked ahead to the future.
“When you wear the national team jersey and sing the national anthem together with the whole stadium, there is no alternative, you just want to win. Those notes get inside you, and you’re ready for anything. For your team and for your country.
“Just as we did at Wembley, we wanted to do in Palermo. It’s been a tough few days, but you can see the quality of men through the difficulties.
“They say that in football as in life you fall, you get up and you fight, I want to think that life has given us a sign and I am sure that it will lead us to a better future … always together in good times and bad. Forza Azzurri.”
The 31-year-old Florenzi, who is currently on loan at Milan from Roma, is one of the players who’ll likely be cut from the Azzurri squad following their failure to qualify for the World Cup, making space for younger players who need playing time ahead of Euro 2024.
Florenzi has made 47 caps for Italy since his debut in November 2012, scoring two goals and providing three assists in that time.
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Very average player his stats suggest he doesn’t effect a game
Mancini chose him as a safe option but got bitten badly with his display against Bulgaria
He was playing when they didn’t qualify for the 2018 WC against Sweden
He and Immobile. Immobile will never score in a important match for Italy
He plays hide and seek.
Caused the goal against Bulgaria too in the 1-1 draw. We have better and younger alternatives.
The problem lies with Italian coaches
I was opposed to the Florenzi inclusion from the moment I saw his name on the list. I am glad Mancio is back as he has proven he can be dynamic. But what happened to him over the past 6 months???? He became timid and lost that boldness that brought them to the Euro Championship.