Veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini says they were left “destroyed and crushed” following Italy’s 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia which saw their World Cup hopes come to an end.
Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri will miss their second World Cup in a row, having failed to qualify for Russia 2018.
The Juventus skipper was brought on in the final minutes of the game.
Aleksandar Trajkovski scored in stoppage time to give Macedonia a hard-fought win at Renzo Barbera Stadium.
“A great void will remain within us,” said the Italian legend.
“We didn’t concede anything tonight apart from the goal. We created plenty of chances, but unfortunately, we didn’t manage to score.
“There is a great disappointment. From September to today we have made mistakes and we have paid for them.
“I am proud of a team that has given everything. It is clear that we are destroyed and crushed. We hope that this void will give us the push to start again.”
