Italy have once again failed to qualify for the World Cup, marking the third consecutive occasion that the national team has missed out, a situation widely regarded as a disaster for Italian football. The Azzurri had two opportunities to secure qualification, initially through their group stage, but they finished second behind Norway, forcing them into the playoff route.

After winning their semifinal fixture, Italy faced Bosnia in the final, needing victory to confirm their place in the tournament. The Italians failed to achieve the required result, highlighting a continued decline on the international stage since their last World Cup triumph in 2006. This decline has contributed to Italy no longer being considered among the elite nations in world football.

Moggi Criticises Italian Football Leadership

Luciano Moggi has argued that the struggles of the national team are linked to a broader effort to undermine Juventus. As quoted by Calciomercato, he said, “Something happened since 2006: the toy broke because they broke Juventus, who had given five players to the Italian national team and four to the French national team and were fighting for the title.

“The atmosphere changed, they wanted to break Juventus, and the national team broke. Remember what Giraudo said? ‘We’re leaving, you’ll see who comes.’ Since Gravina arrived, we’ve been eliminated in the first round and other times we haven’t qualified. If Bonaparte said he preferred lucky generals to good ones, Gravina is neither one nor the other. Now he hides behind the Federal Council, where he knows he can find friends.”

Moggi’s comments underline the perceived connection between Juventus’ decline and the struggles of the national team. The club has historically supplied top players to Italy, and its reduced influence in recent years is seen as a contributing factor to the current difficulties.

Juventus’ Contribution To The National Team

Juventus’ contribution to the national squad has long been significant, providing talent that has shaped the success of Italy over the decades. With the club no longer at its peak, the national team has faced challenges in maintaining its historical standards, a situation reflected in consecutive failures to qualify for major tournaments. The current period serves as a stark reminder of the intertwined fortunes of club and country in Italian football.