Gennaro Gattuso ‘would’ve most well-liked a soccer lesson from begin to end’ from Norway slightly than Italy visibly crumbling. ‘It’s worrying, I might be a hypocrite to recommend in any other case.’
The Azzurri knew full effectively getting into that first place was unbelievable, as it could’ve required a 9-0 outcome to overturn the large aim distinction benefit amassed by the Norwegians in Group I.
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Nonetheless, they’d hoped to take revenge for the 3-0 loss in June and with confidence on a successful streak.
For this reason throwing away the Francesco Pio Esposito opener to was significantly galling, the primary defeat of Gattuso’s Italy profession.
Gattuso press convention recognises Italy issues
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates after scoring his crew’s second aim through the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
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When he stepped into his press convention, the primary query was how come Norway had been shifting at twice the velocity within the second half?
“I don’t suppose it was a bodily challenge, as after the break inside 30 seconds we allow them to have an opportunity, then backed off and so they began to take management,”
“You then begin working otherwise, we performed to their strengths and so they harm us. It was not a health drawback.”
Maybe falling aside mentally after such a powerful first half is much more worrying.
“Even enjoying out from the again, it was utterly totally different. Davide Frattesi wasn’t going huge anymore. We stopped doing the best actions. That’s the biggest remorse.
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“We apologise to the followers and take duty. This was a vital match for me at the moment, we had been up in opposition to a powerful crew and successful might’ve boosted our mentality to take that subsequent step. We failed. We can not disintegrate and get embarrassed the best way we did at the moment on the first signal of issue.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Referee, Alejandro Hernandez, exhibits a yellow card to Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, through the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
Gattuso admits this fragility is one thing to be actually involved about going ahead, as Italy danger lacking out on a 3rd consecutive World Cup.
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“It’s worrying, I might be a hypocrite to recommend in any other case. Now we received’t see one another once more for 3 months, not that it takes a lot to see we had been taught a lesson at the moment.
“A sport like this can’t be misplaced 4-1, there are gamers in opposition to us who can flip it round in 5 minutes. The third aim is the one which annoys me essentially the most, however we have now to look ahead. We can not count on to permit zero pictures on the right track, however we should have the ability to react after they do, not the best way we did at the moment.”
There had been some solutions of a ‘stage’ on the Coverciano coaching floor in February, so Gattuso can have a while with the gamers earlier than the play-off in March.
“That is the fixture listing, everyone knows the one dates obtainable are February 2-3 or 9-10, however in my opinion, we’re not getting these both.”
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Gattuso had angrily reacted to the jeers through the last levels of Thursday’s 2-0 win in Moldova, as they took till the 88th minute to interrupt via.
Nevertheless, he holds his palms up and admits the group was proper to boo them off the pitch tonight.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, appears on previous to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
“On the finish of the primary half, I used to be very happy with how the crew was set out, with how the followers had been supporting us. There’s the notice that individuals love this crew, however speak isn’t sufficient anymore.
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“It was a night that no person deserved, particularly those that got here out right here to cheer us on. We hope to offer all our followers pleasure.”
Contemplating the 3-0 defeat in Oslo evidently wasn’t a fluke, nor totally on the blame of Luciano Spalletti, what should Italy do going ahead?
“We mustn’t get so scared and maintain again, as on the first setback we lose confidence,” replied Gattuso.
“At this second, we’ve bought a lot weighing on us, we didn’t qualify for the final two editions of the World Cup, and we can not underestimate that.
“On the identical time, we additionally can not get so downhearted on the first signal of hassle. We should have extra confidence in our capabilities and never restrict ourselves to doing the naked minimal when it begins to go improper.”
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: The Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso attends the press convention at Lodge Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Picture by Paolo Bruno/Getty Pictures)
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Ought to Italy simply admit they’re now not among the many finest groups in Europe, particularly after doing so badly at EURO 2024?
“I actually would’ve most well-liked it if Norway had taught us a soccer lesson from begin to end, I would’ve been capable of settle for it higher,” replied Gattuso.
“For this reason I proceed to imagine that if we enhance that was lacking in that second half, we will have our say. That’s the painful remorse of all of it.”
Is there an absence of management within the present Azzurri set-up?
“Having a frontrunner isn’t sufficient, at these moments we have to keep united. What angers me essentially the most is that within the second half, constructing out from the again was now not fluid, you may already sense from kick-off in that half that one thing had modified.
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“If you’re scared of creating a mistake, you play with the handbrake on, and we can not afford that.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool through the Carabao Cup Third Spherical match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield on September 23, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Picture by Jan Kruger/Getty Pictures)
Gattuso was requested on the finish of the press convention whether or not Federico Chiesa will return for the play-offs in March, because the Liverpool winger had turned down earlier call-ups to concentrate on his health.
“I already talked sufficient about Chiesa, you all know his story. He is a vital participant, he has particular traits, however he has to really feel comfy.
“We all know what we are saying to one another, we’ll converse once more and see what comes of it.”