It’s a shame that Italy didn’t automatically qualify for the World Cup by winning the Euro, says the legendary Roberto Baggio

Although Italy won the European Championship last year, it failed to qualify for the World Cup, which will be hosted by Qatar this year. Italian legend Roberto Baggio thinks it’s a shame Italy didn’t get a place automatically.

It was a big sensation when Italy won the European Championship in 2021. Coach Roberto Mancini was hailed as a great hero. He had done something that few in Italy had thought possible.

But then came the failure to qualify for the World Cup, which left a very bitter aftertaste. The celebrated Mancini suddenly became a man whose future on the bench was the subject of unpleasant speculation.

The recent match against Argentina in the Finalissimo Cup, pitting the winners of the European and South American championships against each other, did not help matters much. Argentina, led by star Lionel Messi, won 3-0.

The legendary Roberto Baggio, winner of the Ballon d’Or in 1993, commented on the situation. He said it was shameful and crazy that Italy did not get a place at the World Cup automatically.

“I think the players suffered psychological consequences by not getting to the World Cup. You can see that it is a psychological problem. You could see it in the match against Argentina. You can’t compare their confidence and calmness with the current state of the Italians,” Baggio was quoted by Football-Italia.

The legendary player himself admitted that he would bite hard not to get any reward for what he has achieved. Besides, he defended coach Mancini, who, in his words, has done something extraordinary for which he should be respected and for which he deserves further trust.

Source: Football-Italia