The dire state of soccer in Italy has once again become a hot topic following the recent elimination in the 2026 World Cup playoffs, after Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated them in a penalty shootout (4-1), following a 1-1 draw in regulation time on March 31.
Jurgen Klinsmann, the former German player and former Inter Milan star, knows this situation firsthand and did not sugarcoat the current state of Italian soccer as he explained the problem that has been dragging on for years.
Klinsmann criticizes the lack of trust in young players
With their absence from the 2026 World Cup now confirmed, the Italian national team will have gone 12 years without even qualifying for the tournament and 20 years without playing a single knockout-round match at a World Cup. This is unprecedented and unthinkable for a four-time champion.
In light of this, the 61-year-old former star harshly criticized the country’s soccer system, arguing that the lack of confidence in new and younger players is the root of the problem. To illustrate the impact, he compared the situation to current stars like Lamine Yamal or Musiala:
“They’re paying the price for a lack of leaders, of technically skilled players, and of confidence in young players. In Italy, Lamine Yamal and Musiala would probably be playing in Serie B to gain experience. And that can’t be,” he said on RAI (via Sport).
For Klinsmann, much of the responsibility also lies with coaches who have spent years prioritizing more defensive tactical approaches:
“Tactical culture is also an obstacle. Many coaches, even today, work with the goal of not losing rather than wanting to win at all costs. And these are the results,” he added.
Currently in the U.S., the former Inter player recalled how he experienced the elimination several miles from home: “I suffered a lot with my Italian friends in Los Angeles. The night after the match, I had trouble falling asleep,” he revealed.
These views add to a broader debate on the need for profound reforms in talent development and the philosophy of play in Italian soccer, especially following the Azzurri’s failure in the World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Gennaro Gattuso resigned as Italy’s head coach, as did Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and Gianluigi Buffon, the legendary goalkeeper for the Nazionale, who stepped down from his role as head of the Azzurri delegation.
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