Italy's latest World Cup qualification failure has been dramatically labeled "The Third Apocalypse" by the nation's leading sports newspaper, marking what many now see as a disturbing new norm for the four-time champion. The Azzurri's penalty shootout loss to 66th-ranked Bosnia and Herzegovina in the qualifying playoffs represents their third consecutive failure to reach soccer's premier tournament, following eliminations by Sweden in 2018 and North Macedonia in 2022.
A Pattern of Disappointment
The first failure was considered a fluke, the second treated as a full-blown crisis, but this third consecutive elimination has created a sense of inevitability for Italian soccer fans. As the Gazzetta dello Sport noted in its front-page editorial, "There's no longer a feeling of shock or an unexpected catastrophe. It's becoming the norm." This represents a stunning reversal for a nation that has lifted the World Cup trophy four times and was once considered a global soccer powerhouse.
Systemic Problems Beyond the National Team
The issues plaguing Italian soccer extend far beyond the national team's recent performances. The last Italian club to win the Champions League was Inter Milan back in 2010, and in this season's continental competition, all four Italian clubs were eliminated before reaching the quarterfinals. This suggests a broader decline in the quality and competitiveness of Italian soccer at both club and international levels.
Salvatore Corso, a 34-year-old Italian who works in a tech startup, expressed the frustration felt by many fans after watching the defeat at a Rome pub. "It's like we're not ready for the big match. We're not ready when it matters... when you need to give that extra... when you have the pressure on," he lamented, capturing the sense that Italian soccer has lost its competitive edge in crucial moments.
Neglect Between Tournaments
Between these devastating four-year failures, the national team appears to suffer from systematic neglect. Successive Italy coaches have unsuccessfully lobbied for more training camps outside the pre-set FIFA international breaks, while Serie A consistently refuses to adjust match schedules to give national team players adequate rest before important international fixtures.
This scheduling conflict was starkly illustrated when a Fiorentina-Inter Milan game featuring multiple Azzurri players was held on a Sunday night, just hours before the training camp opened for these crucial playoff matches on Monday. The pressure from television rights holders to maintain regular league schedules appears to take precedence over national team preparation.
Unwanted Coaching Position
With failures accumulating, Italy's most respected coaches seem increasingly reluctant to take on the national team job. Roberto Mancini left his position before the 2024 European Championship to coach Saudi Arabia's national team instead. Gian Piero Ventura, who directed Italy during the 2017 defeat to Sweden, never coached a major club after that failure.
When Luciano Spalletti was fired after Italy lost its opening qualifier to Norway last year, experienced coach Claudio Ranieri turned down the opportunity to replace him. Instead, the much less experienced Gennaro Gattuso was hired, suggesting the position has lost its appeal to top-tier coaching talent.
Leadership Under Pressure
Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina is clinging to his position despite having survived the qualifying elimination for the 2022 World Cup. Following this latest failure, Gravina hinted at potential changes, stating, "Next week we will make much deeper reflections on the situation. There are a lot of evaluations to consider." He suggested he might call for new elections for the country's top soccer position, indicating recognition that significant structural changes may be necessary.
The combination of repeated qualification failures, declining club performance in Europe, scheduling conflicts that disadvantage the national team, and diminishing interest from top coaches paints a bleak picture for Italian soccer. What was once considered temporary misfortune now appears to be an entrenched pattern requiring fundamental reform if Italy hopes to return to its former glory on the world stage.
