On 31/3, at Bilino Polje stadium, Italy and Bosnia & Herzegovina drew one-one after 120 minutes, necessitating a penalty shootout to decide the winner.

During the shootout, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma failed to save any of Bosnia's four shots. Conversely, Italy took three shots but only converted one, a strike from Sandro Tonali. Sebastiano Esposito shot wide in the first round, while Bryan Cristante hit the post in the third round.

Francesco Pio Esposito missed his penalty in the first round as Italy lost to Bosnia & Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup play-off final at Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia on 31/3/2026. Photo: AFP

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, all three players chosen by coach Gattuso for the shootout had never scored from the 11-meter spot in Serie A. Furthermore, among the 10 Italian players on the field at the end of extra time—Donnarumma, Gianluca Mancini, Riccardo Calafiori, Tonali, Federico Gatti, Palestra, Esposito, Cristante, Davide Frattesi, and Leonardo Spinazzola—not one had ever scored a penalty in Italy's top league.

"However, this cannot be an excuse," Mundo Deportivo emphasized. "They could have scored their first career penalty to become heroes. But the lack of preparation and detailed planning put coach Gattuso in a difficult position."

Appointed in 2025 with the task of leading Italy back to the World Cup, Gattuso had previously declared he would move to another country if he failed to achieve the goal. After three days of silence, the 48-year-old coach terminated his contract with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), concluding one of the most disappointing periods in Italian football.

Following Gattuso's departure, the FIGC is urgently seeking a temporary solution for the coaching bench. According to local media, U21 coach Silvio Baldini will likely be entrusted with leading the national team for a short period, before Gattuso's official successor is appointed.

Italy has two friendly matches scheduled before the FIGC presidential election, expected on 22/6 in Rome. This situation compels the federation to appoint an interim coach, even before the highest leadership position is determined.

The Baldini option is currently considered the most viable, echoing a precedent from 2018. At that time, following the failure under Giampiero Ventura, U21 coach Luigi Di Biagio temporarily led the national team in friendly matches against Argentina and England, before Roberto Mancini's official appointment.

The process of rebuilding Italian football is expected to become clearer in the coming weeks, with the 22/6 election seen as a pivotal milestone that will determine the next steps, including the selection of a long-term head coach for the national team.

Alessandro Del Piero and Gennaro Gattuso were both members of the Italy squad that won the 2006 World Cup. Photo: FIFA World Cup

Legendary player Alessandro Del Piero believes that blaming Gattuso alone is unfair, as the crisis in Italian football is systemic and has accumulated over a long period.

"Many complex factors converged to create this outcome. Behind it are deeper issues," the former Juventus striker stated on the Sky Calcio program. He stressed that Italy's absence from the World Cup for the third consecutive time is no longer a shock but has become unacceptable.

According to the former Juventus captain, the biggest problem lies in the mindset and culture of football management. "We only think about protecting our own interests. That needs to change," he said, recalling past difficult periods when Italy overcame crises to win the 1982 and 2006 World Cups, as proof of their ability to revive with the right direction.

The 51-year-old former player also pointed out limitations in youth development, where players are too constrained by tactical systems, stifling creativity. Del Piero called for comprehensive change in Italian football: "Egos must be set aside. What is needed now is humility, a willingness to start over, learn, and recognize who is performing well. We are no longer who we thought we were."

Hong Duy (according to Football Italy)