Data map: In the early morning of March 25th, Beijing time, in the European play-offs of the World Cup qualifiers, the new European Cup champion Italy team lost 0:1 to North Macedonia and was eliminated.

After 2018, the Italian team missed the World Cup for two consecutive times.

The picture shows the Italian players could not hide their loneliness at the end of the game.

　　China News Service Client, Beijing, March 25th (Reporter Xing Rui) From the evening of the 24th to the early morning of the 25th, Beijing time, the competitions in the major regions of the World Preliminary Tournament started as scheduled.

In addition to the attention given to the competition between the national football team and Saudi Arabia, Italy's upset 0:1 loss to North Macedonia is undoubtedly the focus of discussions in world football.

　　No one could have imagined that the champion team that was able to win the European Cup 9 months ago was defeated by the underdog North Macedonia at the last minute of the game.

This means that the Azzurri once again lost the opportunity to enter the World Cup. After missing the last World Cup, the Italian team will achieve the "achievement" of missing the stage of the World Cup for two consecutive times.

　　It is undeniable that the powerhouse that once dominated football is now falling unknowingly.

For many fans of Italian football, the former team lit up a teenager's longing and dream for football, and the ups and downs of the Italian team also accompanied their green years.

In the early morning of March 25, Beijing time, in the European play-offs of the World Cup qualifiers, the new European Cup champion Italy team lost 0:1 to North Macedonia and was eliminated.

After 2018, Italy missed two World Cups in a row

　　Zhao Bo, who is middle-aged, still can't forget Baggio's tears at the 1994 World Cup.

　　It was the penalty shootout at the end of the final. Baggio's dazed back after he missed a penalty was a stark contrast to the Brazilian goalkeeper Tafarel's kneeling celebration.

Since that moment, Baggio has been accompanied by melancholy, and he has also become an idol in the hearts of a generation of Chinese fans.

　　It was also that World Cup that ignited Zhao Bo's passion for football.

Since then, that touch of blue has become the eternal faith in his heart.

　　Regarding Italy's upset this time, Zhao Bo said: "I don't want to express my opinion, I don't want to recall." He couldn't imagine that his home team missed two World Cups in a row.

It is precisely because he has witnessed the glory of Italian football that he is even more unable to accept the loneliness of today.

　　In the romantic Mediterranean country of Italy, football is a well-deserved cultural symbol.

As early as the 1930s, they began to dominate the world football.

　　With the rise of Serie A, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus... A large number of well-known clubs have taken root on the Apennine Peninsula.

The fertile football soil also gave birth to a large number of world-class stars such as Baggio, Maldini, Cannavaro, Buffon and so on.

　　Until the beginning of the 21st century, even after the regrets of the 2000 European Cup and the gray memory of the 2002 World Cup, the strength of the Italian national team was still at its peak.

　　What impressed the post-90s fans Zhu Yikong was the 2006 World Cup.

Italy's "golden generation" met the French team led by Zidane.

The same familiar penalty shootout, Italy did not let the championship fall, they took home the fourth Hercules Cup in team history.

Data map: On July 12, 2021, the second day after the Italian national football team won the European Cup, a championship trophy parade was held in Rome.

The picture shows the Italian players "crowning" the trophy above their heads.

　　But who would have thought that this highlight moment became a carnival before the decline of Italian football.

With the depression of the domestic economy, the decline of the Serie A league, and the retirement of meritorious players, Italian football has slipped to a trough.

　　In the next two World Cups, Italy stopped in the group stage.

In the 2014 World Cup, Balotelli's header against England turned out to be Italy's swan song in the World Cup so far.

　　In Zhu Yikong's heart, the Italian team's wonderful performance in the European Cup has given him hope for the team's World Cup trip.

　　But after watching last night's game, he said frankly: "I don't know what happened to this Italian team. They won all three qualifiers before the European Cup. After winning the European Cup, the team's performance was different. It slipped into the abyss. The previous excellent team performance was more like an amazing short-lived, the team's main lineup was uneven, the mentality adjustment after the cup was unbalanced, the bench depth was not enough and other problems were exposed one by one. "And these cannot be solved at once. The ills also caused the Italian team to overturn at a critical moment in the World Preliminaries.

Data map: On November 13, 2017 local time, in Milan, Italy, Italian goalkeeper Buffon played against Sweden in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.

　　I still remember that after missing the World Cup in Russia, veteran Buffon said with tears in his eyes: "I don't feel sorry for myself, but I regret everything about Italian football." He originally thought of retiring after the World Cup, but he still failed to play for the national team. A successful conclusion to the career.

　　After Buffon, Bonucci, Chiellini and many other veterans could not appear on the stage of the World Cup.

Without the touch of blue that fans are most familiar with, Zhu Yikong feels that the Qatar World Cup is destined to lack a lot of excitement and happiness.

"But whether or not Italy can go to the World Cup, I will always support the blue," he said.

　　Some people say that football is like life, there are many opportunities and many choices.

But there are no winning generals on the field, just like life will not be smooth sailing.

When people lament that Italy missed the World Cup again, they can't help but think of the joy and passion they once brought.

What people miss together, in addition to those familiar backs, are the lost youth.

　　But life goes on, and history goes on and on.

One day, Italian football will shine in the world again.

(The interviewees in the text are all pseudonyms) (End)