Gennaro Gattuso assures Italy ‘see no distinction between Wales and Bosnia’ with excessive reward for ‘good good friend’ Edin Dzeko, as he sees some poker thoughts video games for the World Cup play-off.
It kicks off on the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time and a winner will probably be determined after 90 minutes, further time or perhaps a penalty shoot-out.
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in Bergamo on Thursday, whereas Bosnia wanted penalties to defeat Wales after a 1-1 attract Cardiff.
Their authentic plan had been to fly in earlier, however the state of the pitch amid rain and snow prompted them to have right now’s coaching session in Italy as an alternative, not arriving in Zenica till this night.
Gattuso not underestimating Bosnia
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, appears on previous to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Photographs)
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“Anybody who’s in soccer lives for moments like this,”
“Personally, I really feel the tingle of rigidity, there’s nothing higher than that. If you happen to don’t really feel it, then you must cling your boots up, or as a coach simply go house. We all know there’s a lot at stake, we’re effectively conscious that Italy haven’t participated within the final two World Cups, however we additionally should reserve all that power for the pitch tomorrow and never waste it beforehand.”
Gattuso was already a part of the 2006 squad that received the World Cup and had a complete nation celebrating, so now he can present a distinct sort of present to the nation by qualifying as a coach.
“I do really feel nice accountability from the primary day I took the Nazionale job, however I can’t take into consideration what occurs if there’s one thing constructive or unfavourable. I’ve to look into my gamers’ eyes and provides them confidence. That’s not as a result of I wish to present them one thing, however as a result of I consider we will obtain this goal.
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“Within the final seven months, the staff has improved an awesome deal. We would not be significantly fairly, however that’s fantastic. Our historical past says that with mentality, starvation, and the power to endure by way of problem, so many people have been capable of obtain superb and fully sudden issues sporting this shirt. So that’s one thing we can’t do with out.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, points directions in the course of 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 Photographs)
It’s broadly reported that Gattuso isn’t planning on making any adjustments to the beginning XI that performed towards Northern Eire, regardless of requires Francesco Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra to step in for Mateo Retegui and Matteo Politano.
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That was a slog till Sandro Tonali broke the impasse, then he supplied the help for Moise Kean to make it 2-0.
“I used to be chatting with my workers and we knew there could possibly be difficulties. I say thank goodness Northern Eire tried to move it round extra, as a result of if that they had simply performed the standard and pumped balls into the field, we may’ve struggled extra,” replied Gattuso.
“Tomorrow will probably be a distinct sort of recreation, as Bosnia have two very quick wingers with high quality, two strikers who transfer very effectively to succeed in balls pulled again from the by-line. We have to have braveness on the ball, as a result of Bosnia are an actual staff who know what they wish to do.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy gesture in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Photographs)
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that he’s able to ‘park the bus’ in the event that they take the lead over Italy, however Gattuso isn’t shopping for it.
“I do know Sergej is a superb poker participant, so I don’t consider it is a staff that desires to park the bus. They’ve a variety of high quality and respect their opponents, so we have to do the identical.
“Regardless of what occurred the opposite day, we all know the reality of the matter is there isn’t a distinction between Wales and Bosnia. That controversy emerged, Federico did very effectively to remark, but it surely’s actually not a cliché to confess it is a powerful match and we respect them.”
This was in reference to the clip displaying Federico Dimarco, Guglielmo Vicario and different Italy gamers celebrating when Bosnia beat Wales on penalties, suggesting they most popular to not go to Cardiff for the play-off ultimate.
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, confirming his love for Italy after so a few years in Serie A.
“I’m glad you requested me this query,” replied Gattuso.
“I made many errors in life, however in relation to soccer, I not often get it fallacious. I used to be speaking to Dzeko for 2 months final yr after I was at Hajduk Break up and wished to signal him from Fenerbahce, however the membership didn’t have the assets to agree a deal.
“An unbelievable rapport nonetheless developed, he’s mild years forward of so many as an expert, so it’s no fluke that he nonetheless will get the ball within the web at age 40 and says issues that aren’t to be taken without any consideration.
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“It’s proof that he’s an awesome champion, an awesome man, and I’m not shocked by any of that. We’ve shaped a powerful friendship, and I praise him as a participant and an individual.”
Lastly, does Gattuso have a message for the Italian followers again house?
“I noticed that there have been 10 million tv viewers once we performed Northern Eire, and going round Italy the previous few months, I do know it’s as much as us to present them that pleasure.”