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ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Players of Italy pose for a team photo prior the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
Leonardo Spinazzola was the only Italy player facing the media after Tuesday’s World Cup play-off Final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while two of his teammates skipped mandatory post-match duties.
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Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso resigned after Italy’s failed attempt to qualify for the World Cup.
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon have done just the same, but players necessarily share part of the responsibility for another national team disaster.
La Repubblica has already reported that a group of Azzurri players tried to get a bonus for qualification for the World Cup, negotiating a sum with the FIGC just before the Final against Bosnia.
The Italian newspaperalso notes that only one player “had the courage to face the cameras” after Tuesday’s defeat on penalties in Bosnia, Leonardo Spinazzola.
Technically, three players must speak with RAI, the official Azzurri broadcaster in Italy, after games, and while Spinazzola showed up for a post-match interview, two of his teammates refused to do the same.
According to Repubblica, Italian players asked Gennaro Gattuso not to resign despite the defeat in Bosnia, but the coach had already decided he’d leave and confirmed his exit on Friday.
The day after the defeat, captain Gigio Donnarumma was the only Azzurri player sharing a social media post and a message for Italy fans.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
