For football giant Italy, the next few days could be a nightmare as it faces a double-headed playoff against Sweden to avoid the humiliation of missing the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
“A World Cup without Italy isn’t a World Cup” has become the catchphrase of many Italians —four-time world champion — who are perplexed at how the once-mighty Azzurri have fallen so low.
The last time Italy missed the World Cup was the 1958 edition which was hosted in Sweden.
“I don’t even consider the idea of not qualifying. We’ll go to Russia for sure,” insisted coach Gian Piero Ventura, who took over from Antonio Conte after the 2016 European Championship.
‘We’re Italy’
“We’re Italy and missing out on the World Cup is not an option,” added experienced centre-back Leonardo Bonucci, confident that his side will make it to Russia.
