Italy trembles. Consequence of its heavy defeat conceded at home against Norway (1-4). A setback of proportions not seen for almost a century. Above all, as in 2018 and 2022, the Nazionale is free from having to go through the play-off box to qualify for the next World Cup.
And after its failures against Sweden in 2018 and against North Macedonia in 2022, all of Italy now fears missing a third consecutive World Cup. And this despite his six victories acquired in a row during qualifying. The Italians are on edge and Gennaro Gattuso, the coach of the Squadra Azzura, recently made a resounding rant against the qualification system.
“The record six victories for Italy? You should ask those who establish the groups and the rules. In 1990 and 1994 there were two African teams, now there are nine. This is not a controversy, but in our time, the best runner-up qualified directly for the World Cup. There are difficulties, and we are well aware of them. 18 points, 6 wins”, he said.
Gattuso denounces injustice
“Seeing that six South American nations qualify so easily is also perplexing. We need to review all of that”he continued, adding a few later: “I don’t want to talk about it anymore because, afterwards, the press officer, who marks me in the pants, tells me that in South America they massacre me, they say that I am a crybaby. »
Guaranteed to appear in pot 1 in the draw for the play-offs, Italy will host at home an opponent from Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland or the loser of the Wales-North Macedonia match.
