Italy’s shocking failure to qualify for the World Cup after losing their playoff to Sweden stunned the entire football world. Yet according to reports in the Italian press, the cracks within the Azzurri squad had already appeared well before the decisive second leg. Some players had lost faith in head coach Gian Piero Ventura, and one Italian international even sent a message to a teammate suggesting that Gianluigi Buffon should take over leadership duties on the pitch and beyond. The story echoed the sense of drama and uncertainty fans often […]