The World Cup group stage draw today has been a painful experience for Italy fans, reminding them of a pain felt four years ago.
The failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia was unthinkable at the time, with the Azzurri being assumed to be a nailed-on part of the tournament’s tapestry. Fans were forced to watch a cup drafted without their stars and many felt lost during the World Cup itself, feeling a sense of disconnection if they didn’t have ties to another nation.
Today the groups for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar were drawn and Italy fans were again left overwhelmed with regret and frustration, having to imagine which group Roberto Mancini’s side might have been drawn in and what could have happened.
Whilst some are now clambering to find a team to back in time, many are preparing to again feel a depressing disconnection from what should be football’s biggest party.
The fact that Italy won’t have played a knock-out game in a World Cup for 20 years by 2026 is unthinkable for a nation with such a rich passion for the game, and it’s a sign that serious changes are needed ahead of the next major tournament.
so chances are italy would of been in group H which Portugal tops.
ahhhh pathetic
This is the proof Serie A needs to take in the U19 and U21 (who are winning mind you) instead of them sent to Serie B, C. If Serie A does not take in these youths to develop well then a fine should be levied for each infraction.
In the old days crop of the Baggio’s Totti’s Pirlo etc they were all in the U19 and U21 and thrown into Serie A. No need to reinvent the wheel with imports, okay some imports here and there but increase quote on Italian youths into Serie A or pay a fine or whatever reprimand works best.
You just know that people will go on and on about “give youth a chance” and then stale rigidity will settle in and things will go back to normal.
Some woeful-looking sides in this WC.
And it’ll be even more bloated in the future.
It’s not the WC without Italy. They’re still one of the 4 or 5 best teams in the world, despite their inability to score.