Italy’s crisis: Wembley 2021, an oasis between disappointments

a little less than three years ago Italy were declared European champions at Wembley after losing on penalties England. Now the ‘azzurri’ can no longer continue the defense of their title after losing 2-0 match Switzerland in the second round and, what’s worse, with a disappointing image. Euro 2020 (played in 2021 due to the pandemic) is an oasis amidst the disappointments experienced by the Italian team in recent years.

And it was that Italy, four-time world champion (1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006), did not qualify for the last two World Cups, after falling in both play-offs. In the case of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, it was removed North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals. The then 67th in the FIFA world ranking has dropped to 6th.

This is repeated for Italy the nightmare came to life in 2018, when Sweden, also in the play-offs, leaving him without a place for the World Cup in Russia. This is the first time that the ‘azzurri’ have missed a World Cup final since 1958. In fact, they only missed out in 1930 and 1958. After 14 appearances, the ‘Nazionale’ have now missed out of two.

After his absence from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Italy It reacted by winning the second European Championship in its history at Wembley on 12 July 2021 (after 1968). He did it under the orders of Roberto Mancini, who instead could not take the ‘nazionale’ to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar And now the defeat in the round of 16 of the Euro 2024 against Switzerland.

In Italy it was more than defeat. It was a failure in which many participated. Starting with the clubs, which are pointed out by the Football Federation of the said countries for not empowering their youngsters enough. A reform of Italian football is necessary. The talent is there, proven by the teams’ successes in the lower categories, such as titles at the European Under-17 and Under-19 Championships.