Four-time champions Italy did not qualify for this 12 months’s World Cup in Qatar, with the “azzurri” lacking out on the match for the second time in a row. Here’s what you should learn about what comes subsequent for the European Champions:
How did Italy’s World Cup qualification marketing campaign unfold?
Italy was drawn in Group C with Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania within the UEFA World Cup qualification spherical.
The stress on coach Roberto Mancini and the staff was excessive as Italy had did not qualify for the World Cup in Russia 4 years earlier. They began with three consecutive wins towards Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania earlier than taking a break for final 12 months’s European Championships.
After successful the continental match, they drew twice in a row away to Bulgaria and Switzerland, earlier than claiming a 5–0 victory at house towards Lithuania.
With two video games left, Italy seemed to be in pole place to safe qualification, however drew 1–1 with Switzerland to depart each groups on equal factors earlier than the ultimate spherical.
Four months after their Euro 2020 success, Italy’s 0–0 attract Northern Ireland meant that Switzerland completed high of their World Cup qualifying group after victory over Bulgaria, giving Mancini’s facet a spot within the playoffs.
A final-gasp strike from Aleksandar Trajkovski noticed Italy miss out on a decisive play-off tie after a shocking 1-0 defeat at house to North Macedonia.
North Macedonia superior to the playoff ultimate, the place they have been crushed 2–0 by Portugal, who claimed a World Cup spot.
Why did not Italy qualify for the World Cup in 2018?
Italy certified for the 2018 World Cup by ending second in Group G.
They then did not qualify for the World Cup for the primary time in 60 years in 2017 after being held to a 0–0 house draw by a recalcitrant Sweden, who made it to the ultimate with a 1–0 mixture victory in Russia. .
The Italians, who had not missed a World Cup for the reason that 1958 ultimate in Sweden, noticed Andrea Barzagli, Daniele De Rossi and captain Gianluigi Buffon all announce their retirements from the nationwide staff simply after the sport.
What subsequent for Italy?
Defending European champions Italy will start their 2024 European Championship qualifying marketing campaign with their opening group match towards England in March – a repeat of final 12 months’s ultimate.
The ultimate of 24 groups will probably be held in 10 stadiums in Germany.
They have additionally certified for the final 4 of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League after topping a bunch with Hungary, Germany and England.
The Azzurri takes in Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands to the Dutch cities of Rotterdam and Enschede. The semi-finals will probably be held on June 14 and 15 subsequent 12 months whereas the third-place playoff and ultimate are scheduled for June 18.
Italy completed third within the 2020–21 Nations League marketing campaign, shedding to eventual runners-up Spain within the semi-finals earlier than defeating Belgium for bronze.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
