Italy out of the World Cup

[Jacko51]

When did that last happen?!

[RailwayRowdy]

When did that last happen?!

 

Apparently 1958. Wonder if they’ll get showered with rotten tomatoes again ! Wonder if there were any penalties NOT given?

[Jacko51]

I only saw the second half (after Corrie had finished!) but it looked a poor Italian team. Lots of huff and puff but little constructive football. How they miss Pirlo.

[Bea Smith]

4 times winners, twice runners-up, now reduced to tears. The World Cup without Italy and Holland will look very different.

[valiant_593]

They obviously don't deserve to be there but it won't be the same without teams like Italy there. Couldn't believe how poor they looked though, very average actually think england would look decent against them!

[geosname]

4 times winners, twice runners-up, now reduced to tears. The World Cup without Italy and Holland will look very different.

 

good...

[Paul6754]

Sweden are a rugged, difficult to beat team, just the type of team no nation wants to meet in a two leg qualifier for the World Cup Finals. Italy no longer has the like of Pirlo, Totti or Zola to call on and surprisingly their heir apparent, Insigne, sat on the bench all the game. I can imagine Italians are gutted just as I was the 3 times England didn't make it.

[TheSage]

I agree with you 100%. Sweden haven't got much quality either but they are very organised, strong, tall and physical all over the pitch. They were the ones to miss in the play-offs!

Italy were a bit unlucky as they peppered the Swedish goal for 90 minutes but there was little quality in evidence whatsoever. Long balls are meat and drink to the big Swedish team.

 

I couldn't fathom why the Italians had so little quality and imagination. They usually have 2-3 stand-out players and I was very impressed with Napoli when they played Man City. Was the team selection wrong?

A day of mourning in Italy today, but congratulations to the Swedes for a very gutsy display, full of heart and endeavour. To get a 0-0 in the San Siro is no mean feat.

[Santa]

When Conte left, Italy appointed Ventura. He's thought of as a bit of a dinosaur with an undistinguished management career. Arguably he could have been a bit bolder at a time when the team was in transition. Insigne, who is in great club form at, probably should have played. The next manager (Ancelotti?) will find it far easier to have a clear out of the old guard.

 

Italy didn't have a kind draw for their group and without a doubt there will have been other teams who had easier paths to qualification. Going to go through the play offs was always going to be a possibility from the start and pretty much inevitable when Spain destroyed them at the Bernabéu. Isco was clinical that night. So when you know you're finishing second in the group to Spain you're basically at the mercy of a two legged cup tie.

[Mattholl]

I'm a massive fan of the Italian game and to be honest whilst the campaign for qualification has been bad the whole debacle lies purely at the managers feet. Hes made some horrendous decisions with selections and is massively unpopluar with the fans and players alike. Hes history and may have to seek asylum somewhere else in the world id say after this. Hes stifled any type of creativity with player like Insigne, El Sharwary and Jorginho who have been playing really well in the league and champions league left out of the starting eleven and plodders playing across the whole team keeping them 'solid' (sounds like Michael Brown last year to be honest). What sums up the whole issue is De Rossi arguing with the management team last night after being told to warm up even he starts pointing at the attacking players saying then dont need him they need goals from the attackers. Hes since apologised but was bang to rights.

[Bea Smith]

good...

 

Dutch football has been a credit to everyone and wonderful to watch over a very long period but like England they have not continued to produce the same standard of players.

 

Italy have provided great entertainment at times too. It beggars belief that Italy should have been in the same group as Spain and Sweden when you look at some of the other weak groups.

 

Perhaps you wanted Thailand to qualify ?

[RailwayRowdy]

A quick look at the player squads at the current top 3 teams in Europe’s top 4 leagues may hold a clue as to the Azzuri demise. Leaders Napoli have a paltry 6 Italian nationals on their roster, equating to an unbelievable 24% available to the national side. The other top two of Juve & Inter have only 46% nationals. Compare that with Bundesliga Bayern(61%),& Dortmund(56%). Leipzig slightly let the Germans down with 37%. In Spain Barca have 53%, Valencia 54% and Real 56%. Conclusion? The Spaniards & Germans give home grown talent more of an opportunity,thus eventually benefiting the National team. The Greed Is Good League makes interesting reading. Man City 34% Man Utd 38% & Spurs 45%. Incidentally Spain & Germany have shared 3 of the last 4 major tournaments.

[Paul6754]

A quick look at the player squads at the current top 3 teams in Europe’s top 4 leagues may hold a clue as to the Azzuri demise. Leaders Napoli have a paltry 6 Italian nationals on their roster, equating to an unbelievable 24% available to the national side. The other top two of Juve & Inter have only 46% nationals. Compare that with Bundesliga Bayern(61%),& Dortmund(56%). Leipzig slightly let the Germans down with 37%. In Spain Barca have 53%, Valencia 54% and Real 56%. Conclusion? The Spaniards & Germans give home grown talent more of an opportunity,thus eventually benefiting the National team. The Greed Is Good League makes interesting reading. Man City 34% Man Utd 38% & Spurs 45%. Incidentally Spain & Germany have shared 3 of the last 4 major tournaments.

 

We've seen recently the likes of Jermaine Defoe, Andros Townsend, Rashford, Loftus-Cheek to name a few and even Wayne Rooney being sat on the bench or bumped around in favor of overseas players.

[nightmare in a damaged bra]

No Ireland either after being thumped 1-5 😂😂

[geosname]

Dutch football has been a credit to everyone and wonderful to watch over a very long period but like England they have not continued to produce the same standard of players.

 

Italy have provided great entertainment at times too. It beggars belief that Italy should have been in the same group as Spain and Sweden when you look at some of the other weak groups.

 

Perhaps you wanted Thailand to qualify ?

 

Why would I?

I would prefer it to be a straight knockout competition.