This was not the case, and the disappointment was not hidden at the end of the match that the Italian players played with a lot of commitment and bravery but ultimately, without the necessary “quid” to seize the precious victory and, in fact, the three points synonymous with qualification. The fate of the Azzurri will be definitively decided in the next and decisive match against Slovakia, next Thursday, a match that will have an aftertaste of a playoff.
But the mood of the Italians can be summarized in these post-match comments:
Bruno Capaldi, 64 years old and residing in France for 45 years, an elected representative on the General Council of Italians Abroad (which functions as a Parliament for emigrant Italians under the Foreign Ministry): “One cannot say that the ‘Azzurri’ played poorly. But, ultimately, we don’t know how to score the necessary goals to win. New Zealand is not a prestigious team, but they defended well. Lippi’s team lacks the ability to concretize their game. And then… It’s already the second goal we’ve conceded due to defensive mistakes that are as inexplicable as they are unusual. We’re at the World Cup and not at a practice session!!! Now, we will be forced to give it our all against Slovakia, who are back in the game despite their defeat to Paraguay. Normally, we should advance, but if we keep conceding goals like this… I’m still optimistic, but I’m starting to question the value of the team.”
Less cerebral in her considerations but more passionate, Adriana Mancuso, 73 years old and 40 years on the Côte d’Azur, who cheered on the ‘Azzurri’ during the match with her voice tinged with a Neapolitan accent: “At this point, we need spiritual protection. I am a devotee of Our Lady of Lourdes, but I can’t say a prayer for the Italian team because she is already very busy with the French team, which really needs a miracle to get out of it. Italy only needs a good blessing for our attackers’ shots to go into the opposing net. Today we had a lot of bad luck: Did you see what a performance the opposing goalkeeper delivered? I wonder why it is against us that he played so well. I am Neapolitan and I think that San Gennaro (the Patron Saint of my hometown) will be with us next Thursday. I can’t imagine the Italian team being defeated!!!”
