Leaning against a wall near a news-stand in central Rome, Tommaso Silvestri, 65, scanned headlines calling Italy’s World Cup failure an “apocalypse.”
In Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina defeated Italy 4-1 on penalties after reducing them to ten men before halftime.
Since their last World Cup victory in 2006, the Azzurri have struggled internationally - with only a surprise Euro 2021 win over England offering solace.
“This is not just about one game,” said writer Roberto Saviano. “Italian football is broken at its roots.” He cited corruption, lack of youth development, and influence from criminal groups.
At a café near the Pantheon, 71-year-old Giovanni Colli called the repeated failures “a betrayal.”
Coach Rino Gattuso, who took charge last June, fought back tears post-match.
“We gave everything,” he said. “But when you miss your chances, football punishes you.”
Journalists warn that continued failures could alienate younger generations from supporting the national team.