Italy’s 2006 World Cup semi-final hero Fabio Grosso has revealed the ‘great disappointment’ on his nation’s failure to qualify for the showdown event in Qatar at the end of the year. The Azzurri were on the receiving end of a bitter winner at the death by North Macedonia in the first play-off round – a result that relieved them of a World Cup appearance for the second time in row.
However, speaking to Sky Sport Italia (via FCInterNews), the Frosinone coach said it is the time to lay the foundations for the future of the game.
“Against Macedonia, there was a great disappointment, but from here – as they say – we can lay the foundations to obtain new satisfactions. For many years we have not been able to make the mark on the World Cup level, so we have to ask some questions because we deserve to be protagonists,” said Grosso.
After subpar performances in the 2010 and 2014 editions of the tournament, Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, this most recent downfall will sting even harder due to them being European champions.
The Azzurri will have to wait four more years, which will be the 20th anniversary of their stupendous triumph in Germany in 2006.