The news of Italy not qualifying for the World Cup is most upsetting for fans of the beautiful game (“Azzurri, fading”, Nov.16). The Italians have been a traditional mainstay at the World Cup and not seeing the Italian blue on the grandest stage will take some getting used to. This failure has also denied legends like Gianluigi Buffon and Daniele De Rossi a chance for a swan song that they deserved.
The Azzurri need to snap back to reality and look at the future, which, to be fair, is not all bleak. There are some good up-and-coming players who can fill the shoes of these departing legends. And luckily for them, a few top managers are also available who can take them back to the top, like how Marcello Lippi and Cesare Maldini have been able to do in the past 25-30 years. The likes of Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte would be good fits for the Azzurri. Italy can also consider Arsene Wenger, who has a reputation for developing young talent.
Akshay R. Karajagi,
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