Italy Manager Roberto Mancini Reveals Azzurri Disappointment That Must Never Happen Again

Italy Manager Roberto Mancini Reveals Azzurri Disappointment That Must Never Happen Again

Elijah Odetokun
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
In this article:
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  • European champions Italy are currently watching the Qatar 2022 World Cup from home
  • Italy failed to beat North Macedonia in the first round of the playoff, losing to a late goal
  • Mancini has expressed his disappointment and never wants the country to miss out again

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has expressed his disappointment that the European champions missed out on the Qatar 2022 World Cup, something he says must not happen again

Mancini led Italy to Euro 2020 victory, beating England on penalties in the final at Wembley, but fell to a shocking loss against North Macedonia in the European playoffs.

Roberto Mancini, Italy, azzurri, qualify, mundial, fifa, world cup, disappointment, never happen again, manager
Italy manager Roberto Mancini is bitterly disappointed the Azzurri did not qualify for the World Cup. Photo by Mattia Ozbot.
Source: Getty Images

The Italians, who qualified for Euro 2020 unbeaten, fell short behind Switzerland in their group and faced the playoffs. They lost the first match against North Macedonia, a win would have set them up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

Italy have participated at all World Cups since 1958 before missing the 2018 edition, the aftermath of which brought Roberto Mancini in as manager - only for him to also miss the 2022 edition.

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Macini disappointed with Italy's failure

Mancini, whose position was under threat after missing out on World Cup qualification, expressed disappointment and said Italy must always be at the World Cup, in an interview quoted by Football Italia.

“We are very disappointed at not qualifying and hope this never happens again, because Italy should always be at the World Cup. It might be a bit of an odd World Cup, but it’s still a World Cup and it would’ve been better to be there.” he was quoted as saying.

Italy have won the FIFA World Cup four times, most recently winning it in Germany 2006 by defeating France in the finals - in a match in which Zinedine Zidane was sent off for headbutting Marco Materazzi.

Another battle against England looms

Sports Brief earlier reported that Italy are drawn against England in the same group at the Euro 2024 qualifying series, an incident that doesn't surprise Mancini.

The Euro 2024 will take place in 10 cities across Germany and if Italy want to defend their title, they have to get another one better than the English.

The two nations have clashed 30 times, with Italy getting the better of the English 11 times, the Three Lions recording eight wins, and 11 of the matches ending in a stalemate.

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Elijah Odetokun
Elijah Odetokun is Reuters-trained journalist with three years of experience having previously worked at Daily Times Nigeria, OmaSports and El Futbolero.
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