The struggles of the Italian national football team since the 2010s
Since the 2010s, the Italian national football team, once a powerhouse of world football, has faced a turbulent and often disappointing period. Still, Italy offers some great matches, and the best betting site in Nigeria 1xBet allows you to wager on all of them.
After winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Italy entered the new decade with high expectations. However, there were 3 elements that led to recurring struggles, which were:
- inconsistency;
- tactical confusion;
- and generational change.
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Disasters in the FIFA World Cup
At the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, Italy, under Marcello Lippi, failed to advance past the group stage, finishing bottom of a group containing Paraguay, New Zealand, and Slovakia. The team looked slow, aging, and uninspired. All stages of the FIFA World Cup are featured at 1xBet, where punters can also find chances to make a virtual sports bet too.
Cesare Prandelli’s tenure brought brief hope, with Italy reaching the Euro 2012 final by defeating England and Germany through fluid, possession-based football. However, a 4-0 loss to Spain in the final exposed deep flaws, and Italy’s performance quickly declined again. These decisive matches are available for a bet at 1xBet, where virtual sports are also featured.
The 2014 World Cup in Brazil was another disaster, as Italy once more failed to progress from the group stage, losing to Costa Rica and Uruguay. Prandelli resigned, and Antonio Conte’s reign saw a brief revival. At Euro 2016, a disciplined and tactically astute Italy reached the quarterfinals, defeating Spain but losing to Germany on penalties. Yet Conte’s departure left a vacuum.
A brief resurgence
Under Gian Piero Ventura, Italy suffered one of its darkest moments. They failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after losing a playoff to Sweden. A bet live football is also available at 1xBet on the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup too
Roberto Mancini later rebuilt the squad with youth and attacking flair, leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory. However, this resurgence was short-lived: the team again failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a shock loss to North Macedonia. There is a live football bet at 1xBet that can be made on plenty of qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup too.
Italy’s struggles in the 2010s and early 2020s reflect a broader identity crisis. They are trying to balance tradition with modern football’s demands, nurturing creative talent, and maintaining consistency on the biggest stage.
