Italy's elimination was repeated once again, leaving a scene marked by disbelief within the team. After losing on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1, 4-1), coach Gennaro Gattuso expressed the emotional impact of the result, while avoiding focusing on his immediate future. "It's a blow, it's hard to digest; it's difficult because they really surprised me even today, with the heart they showed, with their commitment," declared the coach, visibly affected after the match. The defeat marked the third consecutive elimination for the Italian national team in their attempt to qualify for a World Cup, a fact that once again negatively impacts the team's recent performance. Gattuso emphasized the effort of his players, highlighting the attitude they displayed during the match, even under adverse conditions. Italy played a large part of the game with one less player, yet still managed to hold onto the score and create scoring opportunities. “We were there in the trenches, we knew how to hold on, but here we are talking for the umpteenth time about not going to the World Cup,” he lamented in statements given to RAI.

Reactions within the team after another frustration

The coach also defended the group, stressing that the outcome does not reflect what was shown on the field. "Because of the performance, the effort, the love they put into it. It was tough, we were down to ten men, we had three scoring chances. They were crossing, tickling us... it's a shame, but that's football, it's football," he stated.

Gattuso, a World Cup winner as a player in 2006, emphasized that the blow has a broader impact than just on sports. “We needed this for ourselves, for our families, for all of Italy, for our movement,” he added, revealing the collective weight of the elimination.

Within the squad, emotions were also on full display. Leonardo Spinazzola, Napoli's wing-back, expressed his difficulty in processing what had happened. "I think that, after a ninety-minute match with ten men, Seeing the young lads crying… I hope they have many opportunities in the future,” he commented.Spinazzola himself acknowledged the personal impact the result he has had on his career. “It was the last chance” to play in a World Cup, he said, before adding: “It hurts for all of Italy: It hurts for everyone.” Italy has not participated in a World Cup since 2014 and has not advanced beyond the group stage since 2006. This latest elimination deepens a negative streak that once again leaves the Azzurri out of the biggest stage in international football.