Claudio Marchisio discussed the pain of missing out on the World Cup, changes needed for the Azzurri and his future in the world of football.
The Italian national team failed to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar after losing to North Macedonia 1-0 in their play-off match last month. It’s the second consecutive World Cup missed by the Azzurri, an incredibly painful fact that highlights the need for sweeping changes in Italian football.
Speaking to Tuttosport, Marchisio first reacted to Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup.
“There is great regret because in the summer we became European champions. The defeat against Macedonia hurts even more than the elimination against Sweden, we are all sad and embittered.”
He highlighted how the Azzurri need to bring in more young players in order to overhaul and rejuvenate the squad.
“There are many players to start from, I am thinking of Donnarumma, Verratti and Bastoni as well as Locatelli, Frattesi and Raspadori and then we need to reform the training of our youngsters.
“In football schools we think about winning and the result, not so much about developing the youngsters.”
Finally, Marchisio discussed his plans for the future in the world of football.
“I’m interested in being a coach, in September I’ll enrol in the course.”
Italy’s failure to qualify for the tournament broke hearts up and down the Italian peninsula. Despite the defeat, coach Roberto Mancini did not resign and will oversee the new era of the Azzurri, who are set for a significant overhaul ahead of Euro 2024.
Former regulars like Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne are expected to resign from the national team in order to make way for the new generation.