Uruguay international Diego Godin believes Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup because they “lack a striker who can make the difference.”
The Azzurri failed to enter the tournament for the first time since 1958 after losing the play-off to Sweden, 1-0 on aggregate.
“You have always had decisive strikers, but nowadays – with all due respect – it’s not the same thing,” Godin told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Uruguay international Diego Godin believes Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup because they “lack a striker who can make the difference.”
The Azzurri failed to enter the tournament for the first time since 1958 after losing the play-off to Sweden, 1-0 on aggregate.
“You have always had decisive strikers, but nowadays – with all due respect – it’s not the same thing,” Godin told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“There isn’t a Roberto Baggio, a Pippo Inzaghi, a Christian Vieri, an Alessandro Del Piero or a Francesco Totti. Italy still have strong defenders, but lack a striker who can make the difference with his goals.”
Italy went out of the Brazil 2014 World Cup after a controversial clash with Uruguay, which saw Luis Suarez bite Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder.
It was not spotted by the referee, but the Barcelona forward was given a ban using video evidence.
“It was a special game and a decisive goal, but the Chiellini-Suarez incident got all the attention, made us lose concentration and ultimately pushed us towards elimination.
“Luis has really matured now and is a leader for us, the real start along with Edinson Cavani. If they are in good shape and we can be solid, then we’ll have a great World Cup.”