Italy's World Cup dreams were dashed once again, this time by a resilient Bosnia and Herzegovina side. The four-time champions, who have failed to qualify for the tournament for the third time in a row, were beaten on penalties in a heart-breaking defeat. This result raises a deeper question: what is going wrong for Italian football?
In my opinion, the Italian team's failure to qualify is a result of a combination of factors. Firstly, the team's reliance on a single player, Moise Kean, is concerning. While Kean's scoring streak is impressive, it is not enough to carry the team to the World Cup. As Conor O'Neill points out, Kean's clinical edge nearly fired Italy to the tournament, but his one-on-one miss against Bosnia was a crucial moment in the game.
Secondly, the team's defense is a cause for concern. Alessandro Bastoni's red card was a reckless misjudgement, and it changed the momentum of the game. As James Horncastle notes, Bastoni's dismissal at the end of the first half put Italy on the back foot, and they struggled to recover.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between Italy's failure and Bosnia's resilience. Bosnia, ranked 71st in the world, proved their worth by breaking the deadlock through substitute Haris Tabakovic. Their patience and persistence paid off, and they deserve credit for their performance.
One thing that immediately stands out is the contrast between the two teams' approaches. Italy, under Gennaro Gattuso, parked the bus and struggled to break down Bosnia's defense. In contrast, Bosnia's physicality and resilience proved decisive, particularly from crosses.
From my perspective, the Italian team's failure to qualify is a wake-up call for the country's footballing authorities. The team's reliance on a single player and its defensive vulnerabilities are issues that need to be addressed. The Italian footballing authorities must take a step back and think about how they can improve the team's overall performance and resilience.
In conclusion, Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup is a disappointing result, but it is also an opportunity for the country's footballing authorities to reflect and improve. The team's reliance on a single player and its defensive vulnerabilities are issues that need to be addressed, and the Italian footballing authorities must take action to ensure that the team is better prepared for future tournaments.
