An Italian tragedy unfolded on Thursday night as the Azzurri crashed out World Cup qualifying for the second time in a row in an embarrassing loss to North Macedonia.
This is a slow team without ideas or aggression in attack. Winning Euro 2020 last summer flattered us - not even able to overcome European minnows at home in a play-off semi-final.
We are used to disappointments, but this defeat surpasses all of them. It is without doubt our worst loss in 112 years of Italian football history.
On Thursday night, Roberto Mancini's players looked mediocre. The players went missing for at least 75 minutes of the game and looked frightened and nervous during the final stages. Italy do not look proud to pull on the blue shirt.
In truth, we have never had the strength of a top team under Mancini and the team have now received a rude wake up call from their Euro 2020 glory. It is now clear just how much the team lack both athletically and technically.
Just months after their memorable night at Wembley, a highly acclaimed Italy has been sent crashing back down to earth following a weak and confused performance that showed the Azzurri to be fragile. The stony-faced Mancini could do nothing as he watched on in front of this flat display.
Gianluigi Donnarumma was the hero in the final against England, saving Bukayo Saka's crucial penalty in the shootout, but he did not cover himself in glory here. It can not be a coincidence that Italy conceded in the final seconds of the match from North Macedonia's first meaningful shot.
Our team showed poor game management against a team who are ranked 67 in FIFA's national team standings. Now the passionate supporters of this country will be deprived of yet another World Cup having already
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