In Europe, out of 4 play-off matches taking place, attention is focused on the match between Sweden and Italy.
The Scandinavian peninsular team is rated much lower, especially without Ibrahimovic in the squad. However, the 90 minutes in Sweden ended, the loser was Italy - the team that was rated higher.
The Italian's failure came from his lack of sweeping power, speed and innovation. Against a prosperous Sweden, the "old men" from the Mediterranean lost their "confessions and habits". Legendary goalkeeper - Gianluigi Buffon also had a day of competition under his power.
Looking further, in the previous 2 World Cups, Italy only won 1 match and if they become the audience of the 2018 World Cup, that is not surprising. A powerful Spain with world dominance from 2008 to 2012 has also had many ups and downs just because of the farewell of the legendary 1982 La Masia generation.
The Italian team that won the 2006 World Cup until now has only Buffon, at the end of this year he will also retire and end a heroic page of Azzurri. Looking at England or Belgium, the teams are making waves with a young, enthusiastic squad of players ready to conquer everything. Perhaps, the Italian people are waiting for the same thing, it's just that it comes sooner or later.
A similar case to Italy but somewhat more miserable is the Russian Sea Coast. The team is considered the most powerful team in Africa in the past 10 years. The Ivorian Sea officially attended the 2018 World Cup when they lost 0-2 to Morocco and ended their journey to Russia. Previously, this team had participated in the world's biggest football festival 3 times in a row.
Drogba, Toure brothers, Kalou, Gervinho, ... have all been absent from competition or at the sunset of their careers. The loss to Morocco may have surprised the score, but if you look at the remaining players in the yellow team, many NHM do not know who they are.
Italy, the Netherlands, the Ivory Coast... were all the forces of the past in regional and world football. However, each cycle will eventually end to open new pages. Italy still have a match to correct their mistakes against Sweden, whether they win or lose, it is time for the Azzurri to need new, fresh winds and more vitality.
