Gennaro Gattuso defended Italy’s performance in a hard-fought 2-0 win over Moldova and ‘cannot accept’ insulting chants from supporters.
It was tough to create much enthusiasm in Chisinau, as Norway beat Estonia 4-1 in the early game, confirming that the Azzurri would not be able to catch them at the top of Group I.
There were also numerous changes including a 4-4-2 formation, but while they dominated possession and chances, the momentum fizzled out.
It was only when the substitutes came on that things sparked up, at the 88th minute Gianluca Mancini’s diving header opening the scoring, followed by a Francesco Pio Esposito effort in stoppages.
Gattuso angry at Italy criticism
“What do you mean this wasn’t the best Italy performance? I saw the lads dominating the match, Moldova never had a shot on target,” Gattuso told RAI Sport when asked about the game.
“If you were expecting an 11-1 like Moldova had against Norway, then that is not my problem. There are no easy matches.”
There were not many supporters in the stands in Chisinau, but some of them did protest towards the end when it was still goalless.
“I feel bad about what I heard from the crowd today, chants telling us to get to work. This is when we must remain united, the team is doing what they need to do. Coming away from home and hearing 500-odd fans insulting the players, I do not accept that.”
It was only when the substitutes came on that Italy sprung to life, either scoring or providing the assists.
“It’s fine, putting 11 new players out from the start is difficult. I felt within myself we could even lose today with so many changes, but I tip my hat to them, they did better than I expected,” insisted Gattuso.
It is the first time ever that Italy have won six games in a World Cup qualifying group, but it won’t be enough, because Norway have won all seven and have a goal difference of +29 to +12. Isn’t it a little odd that the Azzurri therefore have to go through the play-offs?
“That is not a question for me, it is for whoever draws up the rules and the groups. In 1994 there were two African teams in the World Cup, now there have to be many and it keeps expanding,” replied Gattuso.
“In my day, the top team in each group would go through, plus the best runners-up. We’ve got 18 points, won six games, and still we have to go into another two matches to qualify. It doesn’t seem right.”
Italy will host Norway at San Siro on Sunday, but even with a victory to catch them on points, it is practically impossible to overturn the extraordinary goal difference gap.
That means they are already looking ahead to the play-offs, which will begin with a semi-final in March 2026.
critici5m is part and parcel of the game! e5pecially when you see 5camacca touching the ball 5 times in one hour and or5olini and zaccagni hitting the fir5t man with 50 corner5!
The UEFA qualifying is messed up. There is no room for error while in South America you can lose 6 games and still qualify. Unfortunately the World Cup is not about getting the best teams there it is about having a big diversified field. What a different tournament it would be with the top 48 teams regardless of where they come from. Gattuso cannot listen to the negativity because it will always be there. Let’s hope they qualify and we can put this behind us.
manga cake
please!!!! we couldn’t finish ahead of a country that hadn’t qualified for a WC since 98 and more famous for cross country skiing! spare me the excuses
Can’t make excuses this team stinks this lineup is awful . Might as well put out under 17 team you have a better chance
Oh well I guess they are going to miss another World Cup. Go Canada
“If you were expecting an 11-1 like Moldova had against Norway, then that is not my problem. There are no easy matches.”
hmm… Isn’t the 11-1 an easy match?
Gattuso is absolutely correct! Anyone who doesn’t recognize a problem with UEFA qualifications especially since CONMEBOL is guaranteed at least 6/10 WC spots is absurd, ridiculous, and disgraceful!
Those who criticize Gattuso for speaking the truth need to check themselves- they CHOOSE to deny the discrimination against European teams and Italy in particular!
No easy games although can’t remember any team scoring as many goals as Norway ! Yes they have a great player but it’s amazing how they scored 11 YES ELEVEN goals in one match, now of course that game was not FIXED at all it was a genuine UNFIXED, above board GAME. NOTHING TO SEE HERE, no match fixing with Scandinavian teams.(Except Sweden and Denmark possibly) 🤣
Can someone please tell Raspadori he is not a #10.
@ “manga cake” it”s MANGIA cake not Manga!
Well. Let see how Norway does in the WC. Overrated in my opinion 11 goals. Thats unsportsmanlike They will not beat any of the
top clubs. That i do know.
Well. Let see how Norway does in the WC. Overrated in my opinion 11 goals. Thats unsportsmanlike They will not beat any of the
top clubs. That i do know.
“As long as people like Gattuso—those arrogants who think fans aren’t worth prioritizing or listening to—football will never move forward. Sometimes I wonder if professionals with that narrow mindset believe football is the only form of entertainment left in this era. They seem unaware that younger generations are far more drawn to interactive experiences like video games, and many already see football as outdated.”