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Italy, what’s next? Six to build on, possible returns and inevitable exits
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Italy, what’s next? Six to build on, possible returns and inevitable exits

J James Wilson 13 min read

What Happened

Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination has left the nation in a state of shock, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the team. The Azzurri’s inability to progress to the final stages of the tournament has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the team’s tactics and player selection. According to Gazzetta, Italy must once again rebuild after another World Cup play-off elimination.

Italy’s World Cup campaign was marked by inconsistency, with the team struggling to find their footing in the group stages. Despite a strong start, Italy ultimately failed to progress to the knockout stages, finishing third in their group with six points from three matches. The team’s inability to score goals was a major concern, with Italy managing just three goals in their three group stage matches.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the team. The Azzurri’s inability to progress to the final stages of the tournament has sparked widespread criticism, with many questioning the team’s tactics and player selection.

The Tactical Picture

Italy’s tactics were widely criticized during the World Cup, with many feeling that the team was too cautious and defensive-minded. According to Football Italia, Italy’s World Cup campaign was marked by a lack of creativity and attacking flair, with the team relying heavily on set pieces and counter-attacks.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat was a major blow to the team’s morale, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s World Cup campaign was marked by a number of key decisions made by the team’s coaching staff. According to Gazzetta, Italy’s coach made a number of changes to the team’s lineup during the World Cup, including switching from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1.

Tactical Changes

Italy’s coaching staff made a number of tactical changes during the World Cup, including:

  • Switching from a 4-3-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1
  • Introducing a new defensive midfielder to provide more protection in front of the back four
  • Using a high press to try and win the ball back quickly

Italy’s tactical changes were designed to address the team’s lack of creativity and attacking flair. However, the changes ultimately failed to have the desired impact, and Italy’s World Cup campaign was marked by a number of disappointing performances.

Reaction and Fallout

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has sparked widespread criticism, with many calling for a complete overhaul of the team. According to Gazzetta, Italy’s coach has come under fire for his tactics and player selection, with many questioning his ability to lead the team to success.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has also sparked a number of high-profile departures from the team. According to Football Italia, a number of Italy’s top players have announced their retirement from international duty, including the team’s captain and several other key players.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Next Fixture

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, as the team looks to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat and get their Serie A campaign back on track.

According to Gazzetta, Italy’s coach has been working hard to prepare the team for their next fixture, and the team is expected to make several changes to their lineup. Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat was a major blow to the team’s morale, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

According to Gazzetta, Italy’s coach has been working hard to prepare the team for their next fixture, and the team is expected to make several changes to their lineup. Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat was a major blow to the team’s morale, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

According to Gazzetta, Italy’s coach has been working hard to prepare the team for their next fixture, and the team is expected to make several changes to their lineup. Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat was a major blow to the team’s morale, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at 20:45 BST. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat has left the nation in a state of shock, and it remains to be seen how the team will respond to the setback. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope in the coming weeks, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a major opportunity for the team to get their Serie A campaign back on track. The team’s tactics and player selection will be under the microscope, as Italy looks to rebuild and move forward.

Italy’s next fixture is a must-win for the team, and it remains to be seen if they will be able to bounce back from their World Cup play-off defeat. The match will be a major test for Italy, and it will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge.

Italy’s next fixture is a Serie A match against Como, which will take place on 14 July 2026 at <

About This Report

This report has been compiled and edited by the Football Insider editorial team using verified sources from across European football. Match facts, scorelines, and quotes are based on reporting from established outlets including BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Guardian, and official club channels. Tactical analysis and historical context reflect the editorial team’s coverage of European football.

Written by

James Wilson is Football Insider's Champions League correspondent. With over a decade of experience reporting on European football's biggest competitions, James covers Champions League, Europa League, and major international tournaments.

James Wilson
James Wilson is Football Insider's Champions League correspondent. With over a decade of experience reporting on European football's biggest competitions, James covers Champions League, Europa League, and major international tournaments.

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