Italy's World Cup Dreams Shattered

0:00It's April 1st. I'm Corey with The Story, and this is Global News Today, World News powered by AI. Italy's national football team crashed out of World Cup qualification for the third straight time, losing 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Zeneca on Tuesday night. Down to 10 men before halftime, after a red card, the Azeri grabbed a goal from Moise Keane, but couldn't hold on against the underdogs. Since their last World Cup triumph in 2006, Italy's had mostly rough rides in big tournaments, except for that shock Euros went over. England in 2021, at Wimbly, coach Ryan O'Gottuso, who took the job last June, was gutted after the match, saying his squad didn't deserve the pain, but owned their mischances. Fans across Rome are shaking their heads and disbelief, from newsstand readers calling it an apocalypse to cafe regulars demanding resignations, and more youth chances. Fans like Senate President Ignatio Larusa, vented frustration online, while writer Roberto

1:01Saviano blasted corruption in clubs' lack of youth, investment, and overreliance on foreign talent. Journalists pointed deeper woes, like club loyalty, trumping national pride, and teams not jelling from rushed hires. Elisabetta Esposito, from La Gazeta delo sport warns, this could alienate a whole new generation from cheering the Azeri. Calling Italy's football legacy means long-term fixes, not quick patches, time to nurture homegrown stars and clean house before the disappointments, pile higher.