Spurs7891
Jermaine Jenas
World Cup is all about Brazil and Argentina V Rest Of the World. But you do want the traditional winners like Italy to be there to make the World Cup more colourfull. So, it is disappointing that Italy have failed to qualify to the 2018 WC for the first time since 1958. After all, Italy are the only team the Germans are scared of playing. So, it will be a huge setback for the anti-German coalition.
Italy who have won the World Cup 4 times will be missed even if they have went backwards since winning the World Cup in 2006. Amazingly, Italy have only won 1 match in the last 2 World Cups and that was against England in 2014 ! In 2010 WC, despite being the defending champions, they failed to win any match for the first and only time in their history, finishing last in their group and even below the mighty New Zealand ! In 2014, despite beating England, they still lost to Costa Rica and failed to progress to the Second Round for the second consecutive WC. I think their main weakness is they don't have a reliable striker now. They should have bring back Balotelli who inspired them to finish runners-up in Euro 2012.
Italy who have won the World Cup 4 times will be missed even if they have went backwards since winning the World Cup in 2006. Amazingly, Italy have only won 1 match in the last 2 World Cups and that was against England in 2014 ! In 2010 WC, despite being the defending champions, they failed to win any match for the first and only time in their history, finishing last in their group and even below the mighty New Zealand ! In 2014, despite beating England, they still lost to Costa Rica and failed to progress to the Second Round for the second consecutive WC. I think their main weakness is they don't have a reliable striker now. They should have bring back Balotelli who inspired them to finish runners-up in Euro 2012.