world cup
Italy’s Eternal Exile: How a World Champion Lost Its Way Four Times
Eleven years after a famous header sent Italy home from the World Cup, the Azzurri have wandered far from their golden era. The team flirted with disaster, endured a European triumph under Mancini, and then collapsed again, exposing deep structural flaws. The piece argues the crisis is systemic: outdated management, neglect of youth development, and a bias toward short-term spending over long-term planning. It also highlights promising youngsters and calls for bold reforms to chase a 2026 return. A dash of light humor punctuates the analysis to keep spirits up.
