SOCCER: Gattuso apologises after Italy miss out on another World Cup

ZENICA, Bosnia-Herzegovina — Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso was emotional and apologetic after his team missed out on a third consecutive World Cup, following a playoff penalty shootout loss to Bosnia on Tuesday. Despite the disappointment, Gattuso refused to discuss his future.

The four-time World Cup champions, last winners in 2006, took an early lead in Zenica. But after being reduced to 10 men, Italy was caught by Bosnia and ultimately lost in penalties. This marks the third time in a row Italy has failed to advance past the playoff stage, a blow that has shaken Italian football.

“Today the boys didn’t deserve a beating like this,” a teary Gattuso told RAI. “We were left with 10 players, we had three decent chances, and they barely troubled us. I’m sorry. This is football, and I’m proud of my boys. It hurts because we needed it for all of Italy and our movement. It’s a blow that’s difficult to digest.”

Gattuso and the Italians were frustrated after a foul by Bosnia’s Tarik Muharemovic early in extra time resulted in only a yellow card. However, the coach declined to focus on refereeing decisions.

“I don’t want to talk about anything, but today it’s unfair,” he said. “I’ve been in football for years, sometimes celebrating, and today taking a beating. It’s hard to digest. They surprised me with the heart they showed. I apologize if I didn’t make it, but the boys impressed me today.”

When asked about his own future, Gattuso remained focused on the players.

“Today, talking about my future is not important. What mattered was going to the World Cup,” he said. “We hold onto this performance, but it hurts, and I’m sorry.”

Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina expressed support for Gattuso and the team, praising their progress over recent months.

“The mood is quite evident, especially given how this result unfolded,” Gravina said. “I want to congratulate the boys. They have shown incredible growth in recent months. Rino Gattuso is a great coach, and I asked him to stay at the helm with these players. There is little to comment—he called them heroic, and evaluations will be made internally.”

Gravina acknowledged calls for accountability following Italy’s repeated failures.

“For the political part, there is a place to make evaluations, namely the Federal Council,” he said. “I have already decided to call them up next week. Evaluations will be made internally. I understand the requests for resignation, but there is a suitable place to make these decisions.”

Italy’s absence from the World Cup marks another chapter in the nation’s ongoing struggles to return to the global stage. -Reporting by Trevor StynesEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters