Napoli and AC Milan face off as Italy licks its World Cup wounds The return of Serie A football after a prolonged Easter break has been overshadowed by the fallout from Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, a setback that has triggered a wave of resignations and soul-searching across the nation. With eight matches remaining in the season, Inter Milan, currently leading the league by six points, appeared poised to secure their 21st Serie A title ahead of their clash with Roma on April 5. However, the title race has been reinvigorated by Napoli and AC Milan, who have both surged into contention following a string of victories. Napoli, a point behind Milan, have won their last four matches, ending a near-season-long injury crisis. Yet, the team faces a setback with the absence of Romelu Lukaku, the Belgium striker who was reprimanded by the reigning champions for staying in his home country for treatment on a hip injury. The Italian national team’s recent humiliation, failing to reach a third consecutive World Cup, has dominated public discourse. The play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties on April 7 has reignited calls for systemic change, with football federation chief Gabriele Gravina resigning just days after expressing reluctance to step down. National team general manager Gianluigi Buffon and coach Gennaro Gattuso are also expected to resign, marking a significant shake-up in Italian football leadership. The focus now shifts to rebuilding the national team and reversing the decline of Italy’s top clubs on the European stage. Inter, despite their league dominance, has contributed to the gloom after being eliminated from the Champions League by Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt.#napoli #inter_milan #ac_milan #gennaro_gattuso #gabriele_gravina
Italy Soccer Federation Chief Gabriele Gravina Steps Down After World Cup Failure Italian soccer federation (Figc) president Gabriele Gravina resigned on Thursday following the national team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time. The decision came after Italy’s defeat on penalties in the playoff against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which marked another setback in the country’s efforts to secure a place in the tournament. Gravina, who had led the federation since 2018, had been under pressure from the government to step down after the loss, which intensified criticism of his leadership. Gravina’s tenure as Figc president began in October 2018, when he was elected unopposed to replace Carlo Tavecchio, who had resigned after Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. His term included both successes and challenges. While Italy’s national team won the Euro 2020 tournament in 2021, a historic achievement, the squad has struggled in World Cup qualifiers, failing to qualify since 2014. The latest defeat, which ended Italy’s hopes of reaching the 2026 World Cup, further eroded public and political confidence in his leadership. The Italian Sports Minister, Andrea Abodi, described the loss as a “definitive defeat” and called for a complete rebuild of the country’s football infrastructure. Gravina, however, expressed understanding of the criticism, stating that evaluations should take place at the federation’s headquarters in Rome. There, he met with the six federal components of the Figc—including Serie A, B, and C leagues, the National Amateur League, the Players’ Association, and the Coaches Association—to announce his resignation. Gravina’s resignation comes after a period of mounting scrutiny.#italy_soccer_federation #gabriele_gravina #carlo_tavecchio #andrea_abodi #figc
