Gennaro Gattuso
For the third time in a row, Italy will have to go through the playoffs in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Gennaro Gattuso admits he has let the nation down.
Yesterday, Italy suffered a heavy defeat against Erling Haaland’s Norway (1-4) at San Siro in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. While the Azzurri will have a shot in the playoffs, head coach Gennaro Gattuso offered his apologies live on Sky Italia.
Defeat.#ITANOR#Azzurri#VivoAzzurropic.twitter.com/E5sKTmM2aG
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 16, 2025
“In this match, all our weaknesses came to light: the more goals we concede, the more trouble we find ourselves in. When we start to get scared and slow down the tempo, situations like this happen. We take responsibility. In March, we need 90 to 95 minutes like we had in the first half. Time is running out, but we have to work on our weaknesses. It’s too easy to talk about the absentees. We knew Norway is a team you simply can’t afford to gift chances to, and you always have to be at your best against them. We will find a solution because we want to play in the semifinals, then the final, and qualify for the World Cup. We apologize because losing 4-1 at San Siro is never pleasant,” said the Italian coach.
