Milan: Italian football boss Carlo Tavecchio had said recently that failure to qualify for the World Cup would be the apocalypse and his worst fears came true here Monday as they missed out on the finals for the first time in 60 years. The last time they had missed out on a finals berth was in 1958 at Sweden.
A desperate 0-0 draw at home to a defiant, belligerent and technically inferior Sweden ended the four-time World Champions’ hopes of reaching next year’s finals in Russia and with it the international careers of several of Italy’s biggest names. On the other hand, the Swedes qualified for the event since 2006. Italy had lost the first leg 0-1 at Stockholm. They needed at least a win to take the match to extra-time and tie-breaker. But that did not happen.
The players sank to their knees as the final whistle went, the starkest possible contrast to the Swedish joy, knowing that the match will leave an indelible stain on their careers.
It was also the tear-jerking end to the career of their 39-year-old goalkeeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon who made his Italy debut 20 years ago against Russia. Daniele De Rossi, Italy’s fearsome bearded midfielder who was surprisingly left on the bench, Monday, also announced his international retirement at 34 after 117 appearances. Defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli are almost certain to follow suit.
However, Gian Piero Ventura, at 69 the oldest coach Italy has ever had, refused to confirm that he would step down, and said that he needed to talk to the federation first.
Ventura made four changes to the team which lost Friday in Stockholm in the first leg and which was fiercely criticised for its lack of flair in attack.
Brazilian-born midfielder Jorginho was thrust into his first competitive international while Napoli’s flamboyant winger Lorenzo Insigne was once again on the bench, a decision that baffled many.
After a scrappy opening 20 minutes, Italy took control and pressed forward in waves. They had penalty appeals turned down and were repeatedly denied by outstanding Sweden goalkeeper Robin Olsen but were also let down by some desperately poor finishing and final passes, possibly born of desperation.
As the game wore on, Italy’s moves became more rushed and their passing increasingly sloppy and the clear-cut chances dried up.
Reuters
