Football news: Italy under immense pressure ahead of World Cup play-offs

Italy face the World Cup play-offs this week for a third consecutive time and are looking to finally qualify for their first World Cup since 2014.

While the Azzurri have had mixed fortunes over the last 12 years, including winning Euro 2020 against England at Wembley, the World Cup has continued to be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Luca Salmasi reports on the mixed fortunes for Italy ahead of their World Cup play-off later this week.

High stakes

Italy were once considered one of the giants of international football and, with four World Cups and two European Championships, that should arguably still be the case. However, persistent problems mean they now face a third consecutive set of play-offs filled with uncertainty.

With two potential games remaining, the first against Northern Ireland in Bergamo and the second away against either Wales or Bosnia, the path may look straightforward on paper. However, this is not the iconic Italy side of 2006.

Realistically, Italy should progress, yet the shock defeat to North Macedonia last time out shows just how far the Azzurri have fallen.

If Italy were to miss out again, it would not only be a shock but a crisis for a nation with a history of success in the sport.

Triumphs and missed opportunities

Italy’s recent success came amid ongoing struggles, when under Roberto Mancini’s leadership they reclaimed the Euros trophy after a hard-fought final against England at Wembley Stadium, ultimately winning on penalties.

Prior to that triumph, there had been a 14-year gap since Italy added the fourth star to their shirt.

In between these successes, they have generally underperformed, having had nine managers since their World Cup victory.

They failed to progress beyond the group stage in 2010 and 2014, then did the unthinkable by failing to qualify consecutively, first after losing to Sweden on aggregate for the 2018 tournament, and then suffering a last-minute defeat to North Macedonia in the qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup, highlighting their inconsistent form.

Psychological factor

For Italy, as well as ensuring they do not get ahead of themselves before this crucial period, one thing they must conquer is the fear of not qualifying.

Italy are no longer a great side; a mix of insecurities and fear seems to define their recent performances.

Historically brave and dominant, Italy now appear to struggle most with defeating themselves mentally and losing games before even stepping onto the pitch.

This is evident from the scars left by both Sweden and North Macedonia, which, although not immediately visible, still carry a sense of dread, as there is a real possibility they will not qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

Their biggest challenge will not be the opposition, but their own fear of failure.

As much as it will be a physical battle on the pitch, Italy’s opponents will have the upper hand mentally, as the pressure they face is nowhere near as overwhelming.

This turns it into a mental game Italy must win to perform at their best.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Carabao Cup news: Arsenal and Mikel Arteta left frustrated as Man City, Pep Guardiola seal glory

Generational crisis

One of Italy’s most pressing challenges has been a clear generational gap in the squad, with no truly clear leader.

In teams of the past, there were multiple strong characters who were leaders in their own right, from Gianluigi Buffon in goal, to Andrea Pirlo in midfield, to Francesco Totti in attack. Now, however, there seems to be a struggle to develop players who can match their combination of skill, tactical intelligence and mental strength.

This problem has been especially evident in recent years, as Serie A itself has begun to struggle with a lack of young talent breaking into the league, relying heavily on foreign talent rather than homegrown players from youth systems.

This, combined with declining academy performance, outdated stadiums and the national team’s inconsistency, has created a talent vacuum and ultimately caused Italy to fall behind the rest of Europe.

Fan expectations

For Italy, football is more than just a sport; similarly to motorsport, it is almost like a religion.

When the country is performing well in other disciplines, such as winning a T20 Cricket World Cup match against Nepal or beating England in the Six Nations, expectations only grow stronger.

Fans expect nothing less than the very best from the national team, which means qualifying for the World Cup.

The pressure can bring mixed reactions. On one hand, it can motivate players to rise to the occasion, especially under the leadership of one of the fiercest characters, Gennaro Gattuso.

Football in Italy carries national pride in a way that few other sports in the country do, and with a manager who knows how to win a World Cup, combined with his trust in a new group of younger players, this could be the turning point in a new era of Italian football.

READ MORE: Man Utd settle for draw against Bournemouth ahead of international break