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For a country who have won the World Cup four times, Italy's
recent record is a national embarrassment.
Since lifting their fourth World Cup trophy in 2006, they have
not played a knockout game in the showpiece event, having only
won one group stage match at the finals in that time.
Their recent World Cup record is even more distressing.
A shock 1-0 defeat at home to low ranking North Macedonia on
Thursday in their World Cup playoff semi-final ensured they have
not reached the finals of the tournament since 2014.
That is now two successive failures to reach the World Cup,
either side of the Euro 2020 triumph.
Coming second to Switzerland in their qualifying group,
consigning Italy to the playoffs, caused uproar at home. The
reaction to the playoff loss will be vitriolic to say the least.
"It's hard to say something right now, I don't know what to
say," coach Roberto Mancini told reporters.
"Last summer was the most beautiful joy, now comes the greatest
disappointment. It is not easy to think of other things, I am
very sorry for the boys: I love them much more tonight than in
July.
"I am the coach, I am the first responsible, the boys are not.
They have a great future, they are strong players for the future
of the national team. We did not deserve this defeat."
Italy had 32 shots at goal to North Macedonia's five but it was
not as if visiting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski had the game of
his life. He did not have a difficult save to make and the home
side not scoring was down to their own wastefulness.
North Macedonia coach Blagoja Milevski could see the irony of
their last-gasp victory.
"We won Italian style against the Italians, a goal with two
shots on target," he told reporters. "I'm very happy for this
victory, I'm proud for these guys."
North Macedonia, who have never qualified for the World Cup,
will face Portugal next Tuesday for a place in Qatar but, no
matter what happens in that final playoff, they will always
remember their trip to defeat the might of Italy in Palermo.
For the Azzurri, however, it is very much back to square one, 10
months on from one of their finest hours.
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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