Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori will not be at World Cup 2026 after Italy suffered a heartbreaking playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 23-year-old's performance was picked apart by the Italian media.
The Italians last participated in a World Cup in 2014, having faced playoff agony before the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. However, they travelled to Zenica on Tuesday with strong hopes of qualifying for the next renewal.
Ex-Everton striker Moise Kean bagged the opening goal after 15 minutes, but just before half-time, calamity struck when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for a last-man foul. Bosnia equalised in the 79th minute and eventually won via a penalty shootout.
Calafiori could only watch on as two of his fellow players failed from the spot. But the Gunners star didn't avoid being chastised by Italian media for his role in the defeat.
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Corriere dello SportThe defender played every minute in the penalty loss on the left side of a back five. According to Corriere dello Sport he was out of his depth even before Bastoni's sending off.
"Bastoni's dismissal unfortunately just made things even worse, forcing us into eighty minutes of pure delirium," it reported. "The usual, unbearable suffering [followed]. A feeling that has become part of us.
"They [Bosnia] overwhelmed us, made us feel awful, took our breath away. One after another, all our flaws, our lapses in concentration and athleticism, emerged. We were never aggressive. We suffered the desire and determination of a team that today I can't consider inferior to ours.
"[Gianluigi] Donnarumma kept us in the game on at least three occasions, so I wonder how players like [Federico] Dimarco and Calafiori could be outplayed in such an important match.
"Qualification had become a matter of national dignity. Not being part of a tournament open to 48 nations is downright humiliating. Those who created the project, those who wanted and supported it, cannot tolerate this third failure. At home. Like us.
"Everyone must assume their own responsibility. Even if the country, politics, and this non-system seem incapable of expressing anything good."
Corriere della SeraAnother publication, Corriere della Sera, aimed an almost backhanded compliment the way of Calafiori in their post-match analysis. A report read: "We can expect more [from Calafiori]. Elegance isn't enough."
The outlet's frustrations were clear in another report, which claimed: "It's happened again and it's been three. Three World Cups in a row without Italy. In June, we'll experience another one in front of the TV.
"Until then, trials, revolutions, and an oppressive sense of humiliation that will accompany us all summer. Little Bosnia is celebrating, we're behind the blackboard.
"Italy is the only national team with a star on its chest that won't be going to Canada, Mexico, and the United States. We're disappointed, bitter, angry. Worse, furious.
"A vertical decline in the extra-large World Cup, the first with 48 teams, bringing 32 to the second phase. We're losing money and opportunities. Other sports are flying, football is dying. We will wake up in the night and struggle to swallow the sadness."
