The Azzurri: the fools of April

 

Furious Italian media stuck the boot into their football flops after a painful penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina saw them miss out on a THIRD consecutive World Cup.

The Shame of Italy’s Second Straight World Cup Qualifying Failure

The Shame of Italy’s Second Straight World Cup Qualifying Failure

From “the Heroes of Wembley” to “the Disgraces of Palermo,” one loaded word holds the key to Italy’s sense of fan entitlement.

ANDREW GASTELUMMAR 25, 2022

The word “vergogna” is not one you see or hear often in Italy, but you wouldn’t know it from the last 24 hours.

Directed toward the Italian men’s national team, it was shouted from the crowd in Palermo on Thursday night. It was written with venom on the front pages of Friday’s morning paper. It was spelled out in all caps in WhatsApp group chats and it was discussed over the midmorning cappuccino. Frankly, it means “shame.” More colloquially it means “disgrace.” It is a word loaded with such contempt and pique that you have to think twice before using it in this country.

So to use it twice in five years, and to direct it at an entity that hardly impacts daily life, is a “vergogna” in itself. But in a calcio-crazed country such as Italy, there are few other things that warrant such frequent usage outside of other disturbing abominations like fettuccine Alfredo and the infamous bureaucracy.

But for the second straight World Cup, Italy has failed to qualify, and regardless of the circumstances, that alone is both a shame and a disgrace when you feel entitled to something.

There are certain things in Italy that feel like a birthright: a right to the world’s best food and wine, a right to complain about anything while you wait an hour in line at the post office and a right to occasional glory (but never shame) on the part of the Italian national team. It is that very sense of entitlement that leads a crowd to shout “vergogna” at the same players who, less than a year ago, were crowned champions of Europe.

The irony in Italy’s World Cup qualifying disgrace is that it fell victim to the very entitled pride that befell its rivals at the Euros while continuing to walk the tightrope that is brinksmanship. Italy was not the best team, nor even a favorite, at the Euros; it simply managed to survive three extra time games in the knockout stages, while other teams wrestled the hubris that comes with entitlement.

With no other clear front-runner, 2018 World Cup winner France was the powerhouse that appeared entitled to win Euro 2020 before losing in the round of 16. And perhaps it was entitlement that led England fans to sing “It’s Coming Home” before the final at Wembley against Italy, especially after Luke Shaw’s second-minute goal. Italy and Azzurri fans took advantage of that pride, only to take a drink from that poisoned chalice when World Cup qualifying began.

It is that very sense of entitlement that has pervaded the landscape of world—and Italian—soccer over the last year, mirroring a disturbing trend laced with privilege and greed even at an organizational level. 

Before the European Super League, the only thing that seemed to unite Juventus fans with AC Milan and Inter supporters was the Italian national team. But when the Super League fell like a meteor from the sky, it was the closed-shop concept based upon the rich and “storied” clubs’ entitlement that united supporters against it. Ultimately, having teams’ places secured in an elite tournament proved too revolting to the spirit of competition and fair play, even if there were other insidious ways to make sure the playing field is anything but level. 

So asking the question: “How did Italy lose to a team like North Macedonia?” not only discredits the spirit of competition and fair play that fans fought so hard to protect over the last year, but also only adds to the sense of entitlement that has plagued the sport. That is not where the “vergogna” should lie, nor should it take away from a blossoming nation’s biggest victory.

Rather, the shame comes from realization that Italy must spend at least 12 years without a World Cup appearance, years that essentially make up a generation. There are several players who took part in the 2018 World Cup disgrace, won the Euros last summer and were on the roster Thursday in Palermo. 

Other than Marco Verratti, the core of this generation—players such as Wembley hero Leonardo Bonucci, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile—has played only mere minutes in a World Cup as substitutes and injury replacements. Others such as Alessandro Florenzi and Jorginho may never play in a World Cup. And then there is Giorgio Chiellini, the beloved 37-year-old captain who bridged the generations, and whose final memory of playing in a World Cup will be of Luis Suárez sinking his teeth into the Juventus legend’s shoulder.

The unknown repercussions of what it does to the next generation of players and fans who don’t see themselves represented at the World Cup is where the shame truly lies. Because watching Italy win the 2006 World Cup gifted memories to entire generations while also inspiring the current group of players. Paying that experience forward, providing just the slim chance at a lifelong memory to your compatriots with whom so much more unites that divides, is always something to work for. The fact that this team wasn’t able to do that for its country twice in a row is the “vergogna.” And it is this duality that can label this generation “the Heroes of Wembley” during the summer and “the Disgraces of Palermo” in the spring.

There is no silver lining here, other than life will carry on as it so often does. The anguish of failing to qualify for the World Cup once again will fade. But that anguish will never erase the memory of millions taking to the streets to celebrate the Euros, just one year after Italy was ground zero for the pandemic in Europe. It will never erase the feeling of hugging neighbors and friends and strangers when we once lived in fear of contact with anyone from outside of our self-imposed and state-imposed bubbles.

If there is anything to fall back upon, it is that the narrative of sport is simply a revolving door of redemption and shame. Shame needs the hope of redemption and triumph to be able to pierce our hearts, and redemption needs the memory of shame in order to make victory that much sweeter. “Vergogna” sometimes warrants shouting, but it always warrants reflection. Now, Italy will have to wait four more years for a chance at redemption, while an entire generation continues to only know World Cup shame. 

Italy: EURO 2020 Champions

Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho, while Marcus Rashford hit the post as Italy edged a penalty shoot-out dripping in tension to overcome England in the UEFA EURO 2020 final.

England had a dream start to their first ever EURO showpiece, Luke Shaw thumping in a fine goal inside two minutes to light up Wembley. Yet Italy slowly found their feet and midway through the second half Leonardo Bonucci found the net. On to extra time, and then penalties, where both goalkeepers saved two; history, though, belongs to Donnarumma the victor.

Match in brief

"It is important we make a good start," Roberto Mancini had said on the eve of Italy's fourth EURO final. What ensued was anything but. With less than two minutes on the clock, Harry Kane spread a pass out wide to surprise starter Kieran Trippier, and his delightful cross was met by a crisp left-footed half-volley from the stealthy Shaw. England rejoiced.

If the atmosphere was electric before, it was enough to power half of north London once the goal went in. The Azzurri were shocked but showed their mettle as they regrouped, gained a foothold and started stringing passes together. Only the final pass, the final shot let them down – not always by much, with the excellent Federico Chiesa whistling a shot just wide before the break.

The pressure was ratcheted up after half-time and eventually it told. Domenico Berardi's corner caused all manner of problems, and though Jordan Pickford pushed Marco Verratti's header onto the post, Bonucci was there to prod in. Italy came again and again. But England held on. Into extra time we went, and then penalties, which seesawed back and forth.

Pickford denied Andrea Belotti and Jorginho; Rashford struck the post and Sancho, also introduced on 120 minutes, was denied by Donnarumma. Saka, the youngest man on the pitch, could have taken it to sudden death, but Donnarumma guessed right and, once and for all, England's unofficial anthem Sweet Caroline was silenced.

For a generation of Italy fans, the good times really have never seemed so good.

Star of the Match: Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)

Star of the Match: Leonardo Bonucci

"Such a strong defensive performance from the 34-year-old. Great distribution out from the back and the all-important equaliser."

Packie Bonner, UEFA Technical Observer

Check out every Heineken Star of the Match at UEFA EURO 2020.

Paolo Menicucci, Italy reporter

Facing England at Wembley was not enough; Italy also conceded an early goal to make their task even more difficult. A normal team could have lost the game there and then. But this is not a normal team. The Azzurri never lost focus and courage, and eventually equalised through Bonucci. They took control of the midfield and their penalty shoot-out win was just reward for their performance and great character.

Simon Hart‏, England reporter

 Luke Shaw (R) celebrates his early goal

Luke Shaw (R) celebrates his early goal

UEFA via Getty Images

England made the perfect start, yet that feels a long time ago after the way Italy took control in the second period. There were echoes of the Russia 2018 semi-final loss to Croatia: an early lead but then domination by the opposition. Even the equaliser came at roughly the same time. For Southgate, a more painful echo too was the hurt of another EURO shoot-out defeat at Wembley. Yet his team have travelled further than any England side for 55 years and given their supporters so many reasons for optimism once tonight's hangover has cleared.

Reaction

Roberto Mancini, Italy coach: "The guys were amazing. I have no words for them; this is a wonderful squad. This game was always going to be difficult, and after their early goal even more so, but we dominated from then on. You have to have a little luck on penalties and I'm a little sorry for England because they also played a great tournament."

Donnarumma: 'It's an incredible dream'

Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy goalkeeper: "We have done something extraordinary. We are delighted. We didn't give them an inch. You all know where we started. We are a fantastic team and we deserve this."

Gareth Southgate, England coach: "We are hugely disappointed. I think the players have been an absolute credit; they have given everything they possibly could. Tonight was exactly the same; they have run themselves into the ground."

Harry Kane, England captain: "The boys couldn't have given more. Penalties are the worst feeling in the world when you lose. It's been a fantastic tournament – we should be proud, hold our heads up high. It's going to hurt now, it's going to hurt for a while."

The moment Italy lifted EURO trophy

Key stats

Italy are the fourth side to win multiple EURO titles after Germany (3), Spain (3) and France (2). The 53-year gap between their titles is the longest in EURO history.

Italy are the first side to win two penalty shoot-outs at a single EURO finals tournament.

Bonucci (34 years and 71 days) is the oldest player to score in a EURO final.

Shaw's opener was clocked at 1:56, the fastest goal in a EURO final and fifth quickest in tournament history.

This was the seventh EURO final to go to extra time (after 1960, 1968, 1976, 1996, 2000 and 2016) and the second to go to a shoot-out (1976).

Jorginho adds to his 2020/21 silverware

Jorginho adds to his 2020/21 silverware

Getty Images

Chelsea's Jorghino is only the tenth player to feature on the winning side in the European Cup and EURO in the same year.

Italy are 34 matches unbeaten, dating back to September 2018.

Italy had not conceded the first goal in any of their previous 18 outings before the final.

The Azzurri have conceded more than once in just one of their last 21 EURO finals matches.

Bonucci made his 18th EURO finals appearance, an Italian record. Giorgio Chiellini joined Gianluigi Buffon on 17.

Harry Kane made his 11th EURO finals appearance, matching the England record of Gary Neville.

Getty Images

Line-ups

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson (Florenzi 118); Barella (Cristante 54), Jorginho, Verratti (Locatelli 96); Chiesa (Bernardeschi 86), Immobile (Berardi 55), Insigne (Belotti 91)

England: Pickford; Walker (Sancho 120), Stones, Maguire; Trippier (Saka 70), Rice (Henderson 74; Rashford 120), Phillips, Shaw; Mount (Grealish 99), Sterling; Kane

What's next?

Italy could end 2021 with two trophies as they are also through to October's UEFA Nations League Finals on home turf. They face Spain in the semi-finals, and a repeat of their last-four win at UEFA EURO 2020 would set up a decider against either Belgium or France. First, though, the Azzurri and England both have three 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.

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Noi siamo diversi da loro