The Azzurri were undeniably unlucky in their 1-0 loss to Sweden but their coach's failings were once again exposed at the highest level
Italy boss Gian Piero Ventura declared ahead of Friday's play-off clash with Sweden, "I have never considered the possibility of not going to the World Cup."
One can be sure that he is thinking about it now, though, with the Azzurri now facing the very real prospect of failing to qualify for the game's showpiece event for the first time in 60 years, after a 1-0 loss in Stockholm.
Of course, with the second leg to come at a sold-out San Siro on Monday, the situation is far from irretrievable.