Italy in shock as Azzurri fail to qualify for FIFA 2018

The Italian soccer team left people all around the world in shock as they lost a World Cup play-off against Sweden and failed to qualify for the first time in 60 years. And as the Swedish team were rejoicing on the field, Gianluigi Buffon-Italy’s long time starting goalkeeper- made the appalling decision to end his 20-year international career. Buffon’s teammates Andrea Barzagali (defender) and Daniele de Rossi (midfielder) also announced their retirement alongside Buffon.

Many speculate that it was due to overconfidence that four-time champion Italy lost the game to Sweden. They had already booked their hotels in Russia for 2018 says , a UK based news company. Gian Ventura’s, Italy’s coach, decisions were also criticized because he failed to act accordingly in the moment, “Italy’s coach didn’t play some of the best strikers in their squad when they were so desperate for goals,” said Inque Park(11B). 

The loss also comes at a bad time for the Italians due to their current migrant and political situation, “the economy is still in the doldrums after years of recession, politics is deadlocked ahead of national elections that are likely to be held in the spring” reported The Telegraph.

Many fans around the world are in despair as well, the World Cup has had Italy as one of its competitors since 1958. The loss also deals a serious blow to the team’s finances as it has been speculated that they will lose several millions euros in advertising and merchandising. The economy might also suffer due to fewer televisions, food and beverages being bought because of Italy not being part of the World Cup.

“Seeing Buffon retire was like seeing one of the old time greats not having a successful end to his career,” expressed Luke Chong(11A), “I felt absolutely destroyed.”

Featured Image courtesy of Wikimedia