Hungary coach Marco Rossi has offered his take on Italy's World Cup qualifying failure.

Italy lost the play-off to North Macedonia with a last-gasp goal against the run of play.

Rossi said, “If they play that game again 99 times, Italy will always end up the winner. The problem is in the World Cup campaign, Italy had to repay all the good luck that accompanied them on the road to the EURO 2020 trophy – with interest. You need luck to win any tournament.

“What are the odds in qualifying of Jorginho, the best penalty-taker in the squad, getting two wrong in a row? All he needed was one and Italy were qualified.

“I think it was the right decision to keep going with Mancini, because there's no point throwing the baby out with the bathwater. The only alternative could've been Carlo Ancelotti, who was not available, so it's right to continue with someone who proved they can win."

Rossi also said: “Where Italy really are in trouble is their stadiums, they are so far behind. Even in Hungary, the situation is 100 times better than in Italy. Every club in the first and second division has their own modern stadium, training centre, space for the academy and focus on youth.

“In Italy the stadiums are incredibly old and it looks horrible. I went to Naples to watch one of my players in action for RB Salzburg, but then ended up watching on TV, because you can't see anything from the stands, it's too far away from the pitch."