Italy thought it could save the essentials. She finally sank. Beaten 4-1 at home by Norway, the Azzurri find themselves once again condemned to the play-offs in the hope of securing a ticket for the 2026 World Cup. A catastrophic outcome for a nation already absent from the last two editions. In this explosive climate, one voice rose louder than the others: that of Arrigo Sacchi. The former coach, an emblematic figure of Italian football, signed a frontal attack which shook the whole country.
Sacchi destroys the fundamentals of the Azzurri
Guest by La Gazzetta dello SportSacchi did not mince his words. For him, the errors committed against Norway were at a level “unacceptable for Serie A players” He believes that Gennaro Gattuso will have to start from scratch:
“We must behave like teachers who teach the alphabet to first-grade children.” Behind this humiliating formula, the idea is clear: Italy has lost the foundations – discipline, placement, coordination – and can no longer claim to compete until these foundations are rebuilt.
The progress of the match confirms his words. Italy led 1-0 thanks to Esposito, before collapsing in the second half: Nusa equalized, Haaland’s lightning double, then a final goal from Strand Larsen. On each action, glaring individual wanderings: defenders with their backs turned, forgotten markings, missed full-axis passes. Sacchi talks about a team
“scared”, unable to react, overwhelmed as soon as Norway accelerated.
Gattuso facing a psychologically broken group
The Italian coach himself apologized. But beyond the result, it is the mentality of the group which worries. Sacchi talks about a team
“unable to handle the pressure”, recalling that Italy is coming out of two successive eliminations in the play-offs. Gattuso must now rebuild a fragile locker room, restore order and ease tensions. A psychological mission as much as a tactical one.
A few months before the dams, the atmosphere is heavy. Sacchi calls for a green turn at Coverciano, convinced that only a total overhaul can save Italy. Gattuso tries to analyze, rebuild and restore confidence. The Azzurri no longer have the right to make mistakes: a third consecutive absence from the World Cup would be a historic earthquake. Italy must rise quickly… or sink for good.
