From the sports press to former coaches such as Arrigo Sacchi, the Italian team received a barrage of criticism after failing to qualify directly for the 2022 Qatar World Cup and being forced to seek the ticket in the delicate playoff in March.
«What a nightmare», «On the tightrope», «Another Italy is necessary» These are some of the headlines on the front pages of the Italian press on Tuesday, after the lackluster 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland prevented Roberto Mancini’s men from retaining top spot in Group C.
«La Gazzetta dello Sport» highlights that the playoffs are back «to be between Italy and the World Cup»just as it happened four years ago, when the «azzurri» surrendered to Sweden and they missed one world Cup for the first time in the previous sixty years.
Italy regrets after a draw against Ireland that prevented its direct pass to the World Cup Getty Images
«Corriere dello Sport» defines the verdict of group C as «correct» and criticizes an Italy that it created «few scoring chances» against a Northern Ireland that had no particular goals to achieve.
The Roman newspaper warns of the dangers involved in competing in the playoffs, organized with semi-finals and a final, with teams like Poland, Russia or the selected Swedish, executioner of Italy in 2017.
And it is that criticism of Italy also came from Arrigo Sacchi, the selector in 1994 World Cupwhen the «azzurri» lost the final on penalties against Brazil.
«We are tired and a bit arrogant. Now we have to keep our feet on the ground,» Sacchi assured in an interview with «La Gazzetta dello Sport».
Yes indeed, Mancini tried to calm the atmosphere by expressing his «full confidence» about the fact that Italy will end up qualifying for the world Cup and went so far as to say that «perhaps» he will conquer his fifth title.
Four-time world champions (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006), Italy could miss out on their second World Cup in a row, after their previous two participations ended in elimination in the group stage.