Who will succeed you, Italy? From glory at Wembley three years ago today to double failure

This Thursday July 11, 2024 Three years have passed since that night Italy won the second European Championship in its history (after 1968), in this case three wins on penalties against England at the most Wembley. This Sunday the ‘azzurri’ will have a substitute. THOUGH Spain, who will break the record by becoming European champions for the fourth time (after 1964, 2008 and 2012). THOUGH England, which has not yet been achieved.

It is a truly bittersweet anniversary for Italian football. Because that night of glory was followed by two double failures for the ‘nazionale’: they failed to qualify for Qatar World Cup 2022 (they, who were four-time world champions, in 1934, 1938, 1982 and 2006) and in this Euro Cup they fell in the round of 16 against Switzerland.

Maybe for Italy The worst is not only the farewell to Germany 2024, but the disappointing image offered by the team now led by Luciano Spalletti. An image and a double failure that, for many, should force ‘calcio’ to consider restructuring and for clubs to leave more space for young Italians.

Italy They did not qualify for the last two World Cups, after crashing out in the play-offs. Regarding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the ‘Nazionale’ has been removed North Macedonia in the play-off semi-finals. The then 67th in the FIFA world ranking lost to the then 6th.

The disaster of 2018 was repeated, when Sweden, Also in the play-off, he left him at the World Cup in Russia. This is the first time that the ‘azzurri’ have missed a final stage of the World Cup since 1958. In fact, they only missed out in 1930 and 1958. After 14 participations, the ‘Nazionale’ could no longer participate for two.

This Thursday is a day of great memories for fans of Italybut the glory of Wembley remains an oasis amid difficult times for ‘calcio’, with victories in the lower categories such as titles at the U-17 and U-19 European Championships but setbacks for in ‘national’ .