MILAN (AP) - Reaction to Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup after losing the playoff to Sweden 1-0 on aggregate on Monday:
“I feel I have to apologize to Italians for the result.” - Italy coach Gian Piero Ventura.
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“It is upsetting that my last match decided we didn’t qualify for the World Cup.” - Retiring Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon.
“I’m sorry. Not for me, though, but for (Italy).” - Buffon
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“At end we deserved it, because I’m not someone who believes in luck.” - Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
“We gave everything we had. They deserved it more.” - Chiellini.
“We all need to look within and find a way to bounce back. We need to get back to the level we deserve to be at.” - Chiellini.
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“It’s a black moment for our game.” - Italy midfielder Daniele De Rossi.
“There’s little to say. Unfortunately there will be a lot of time to analyze it. The only thing I can say is that we showed few ideas and not much in the way of tactics.” - De Rossi.
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“Not going to the World Cup is tragic.” - Italy playmaker Federico Bernardeschi.
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“Nobody wanted this.” - Italy forward Manolo Gabbiadini.
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“It was a demonstration of how strong we are as a group.” - Sweden coach Janne Andersson.
“We have many heroes tonight. Obviously I’m somewhat taken over by emotions and obviously very happy.” - Andersson.
“I am very happy but above all happy for these players. For many of them it was probably the last chance to get to the World Cup.” - Andersson.
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