MADRID, 26 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Italy coach, Roberto Mancini, has assured that the ‘Azzurra’ must “take some time to reflect” and “work on the future” after failing to qualify for the World Cup for the second time in a row, something that has made them go “of the total joy” of having won the European Championship to “the frustrating disappointment”.
“Sometimes football can be a ruthless metaphor for life. Last summer we were at the top of Europe after having completed one of the most beautiful feats in the history of the national team. A few hours ago we woke up in one of the most dramatic. We have gone from total joy to frustrating disappointment,” he wrote on his official Instagram account.
The Italian team, which won Euro 2020 by beating England on penalties in the Wembley final, will not participate in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after losing 1-0 in the play-off semifinals to North Macedonia on Thursday. Nor had he obtained the ticket for the Russian event in 2018.
“It’s really hard to accept, but accepting defeats in life is part of a healthy path of human and sports growth. Let’s take some time to reflect and understand it clearly. The only right move now is to raise our heads and work towards the future.” Mancini concluded.