New Italy coach and former firebrand defender Gennaro Gattuso mentioned the at the start goal for his gamers might be to get the nation to the World Cup. Italy, the 4-time champions, have missed each the final two World Cups in 2018 and 2022 respectively and are in a tricky spot within the Qualifiers for the 2026 version after they had been thrashed by Norway earlier this month.
“I do know it’s not a simple job however nothing is straightforward in life. There’s not a lot to say. There’s work to do. I must get contained in the gamers’ heads. I hear typically that we don’t have the expertise or adequate gamers anymore. However I believe we have now the gamers. We simply must put the gamers in situation to succeed. We have to get Italy again to the World Cup. That’s elementary,” Gattuso mentioned at his presentation on Thursday.
Presently, the Azzurri are already 9 factors behind Norway of their World Cup qualifying group — albeit having performed two matches fewer than the chief. Gattuso’s debut might be at dwelling to Estonia on Sept. 5. Israel can be within the five-team Group I. Italy host Norway within the last spherical on Nov. 16. Solely the group winner advances on to subsequent yr’s event co-hosted by america, Canada and Mexico. The runner-up enters playoff brackets to be performed subsequent March.
That was the stage the place Italy was eradicated by Sweden and North Macedonia and dominated out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively.
“He responded with none hesitation to our name and with the identical enthusiasm as when he was referred to as up as a participant to the nationwide group. And never merely enthusiasm. It’s actually much more: nice spirit of sacrifice, nice professionalism and diligence. He informed me instantly that no one wins alone, that you just win as a squad and a gaggle,” Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina mentioned.
Gattuso mentioned he desires to set a brand new commonplace of dedication whereby even injured gamers stay on the nationwide group’s coaching middle.
“We now have loads of bodily therapists and medical employees,” Gattuso mentioned. “If I had listened to my physique, I might have performed 50 fewer matches. We have to transcend our limits.”
(With company inputs)