I'm very happy. We knew how important these three points were, especially as this match came after the international break. It's difficult to manage because we had a lot of players involved, most of them had travelled and played matches. It was the moment to win these three points.
Italy's elimination from the World Cup playoffs, sealed in a penalty shootout against Bosnia and Herzegovina, marks a watershed moment in European football, as they become the first former World Cup winners to miss three consecutive tournaments.
The ongoing discussions regarding future structural changes to the game, such as the introduction of new tournaments (eg. Fifa Club World Cup), further intensify this challenge. These changes have the potential to significantly reduce the downtime available to elite players, affecting their recovery and overall well-being.