Kolkata: Italy's shocking exit from the World Cup qualifiers has left the football world stunned. The Azzurri, who were once the four-time champions, failed to qualify for three successive editions, including one expanded to 48 teams.
The team, led by coach Gennaro Gattuso, looked relieved after taking the final qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina to penalties on Tuesday. Gianluigi Donnarumma was in goal, but even his heroics couldn't save the team from a heartbreaking defeat.
Esmir Bajraktarevic's penalty squirmed under Donnarumma, and the 18-year-old's parents, who escaped a genocide in 1995 by moving to the USA, were overjoyed as they watched their son send Bosnia and Herzegovina to their first World Cup since 2014.
Italy's ranking has dropped to 13, and the team's poor performance has sparked calls for an overhaul of the youth system. Roberto Baggio has asked for a focus on technique and not tactics, and a network of schools where boys can hone their skills.
The team's stadiums are old and creaking, and Serie A is no longer the league players want to go to. However, Italy have changed since poor campaigns in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and they have a new programme to train youth coaches.
At this point, even talking of a good future could feel trite, but the team's fans will be hoping that they can bounce back from this shocking exit and return to their former glory.
