Taking aside the fact that the most controversial World Cup in history was more of an awkward gathering than jolly knees-up, those words, written in Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport late last year, rather summed up the country's emotion at once again missing out on a tournament they have won almost as often as anyone in history.
By the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, it will have been a dozen years since the Azzurri's last appearance. There will be students at Rome's Sapienza University by then for whom seeing their country at a World Cup is but the faintest of childhood memories.
Viewed through the prism of the Coppa del Mundo, it has been a period as dark as any in Italian footballing history, and yet Roberto Mancini's men, of course, start their European Championship qualifying campaign against England tonight as defending champions.
Set against the context of twin World Cup failures, Italy's success at Euro 2020 looks an almighty fluke, an almost literal bolt from the blue. Anyone who saw it, however, knows it was anything but.
Denne historien er fra March 23, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 23, 2023-utgaven av Evening Standard.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Why are England wasting time waiting for Tuchel?
Winning the World Cup is the aim, so the new boss should start now
He's been shot, and punched by Mike Tyson, but British boxing's great survivor is back on top and aiming to rule the world
This is where the magic happens,\" reads a big neon sign scrawled across the entrance to the offices of arguably the most powerful man in British boxing today.
How Sketch went from 'obscene' to era-defining
After arocky start, the glamorous and infamous restaurant is now an institution
Money is worth less than time'
He's quit Fendi, but what will Kim Jones do next?
London's Roman Amphitheatre
Guildhall Yard, EC2V
Liberals didn't notice they'd lost relevance in the all-consuming digital sphere
There are many reasons why Donald Trump might have won the election last week.
Do we have to die?
One neuroscientist thinks the answer is no
How to have a magical Christmas in Edinburgh
From cosy cobblestone streets to abundant Yuletide goings-on, few cities rival the Scottish capital in creating Christmas whimsy.
London's best festive restaurants
The social season is upon us once more. These are the city’s most coveted Christmas venues, which need to be booked soon so as to not miss out on the tinsel and tipples.
Rag'n'Bone Man
I struggle with being recognised... I'll never really feel comfortable with it'
