As the final international window for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers approaches, Italian football faces a tense moment with crucial matches ahead for the Azzurri. Adriano Del Monte, a prominent Italian football journalist and broadcaster, shared his insights exclusively with Get Italian Football News, reflecting on the national team’s current standing and the anticipated fixtures against Moldova and Norway.
Italy finds itself in a challenging position, sitting second in Group I with 15 points and trailing leaders Norway by three points. The upcoming games are pivotal, especially with Norway on the verge of automatic qualification if they secure a win against Estonia by a significant margin. The Azzurri’s performance in these matches will likely dictate their route to the World Cup, potentially leading to play-offs if they finish as runners-up.
Gennaro Gattuso, who took over coaching duties from Luciano Spalletti after an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign, has managed a commendable turnaround with four consecutive victories in this qualifying campaign. Del Monte praised Gattuso’s ability to achieve results thus far, alluding to the coach’s need to navigate deeper issues affecting the team beyond mere tactics.
Despite the positive start under Gattuso, Del Monte expressed concern regarding the player selection for the upcoming fixtures. High-profile absences such as Michael Kayode, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Federico Chiesa have raised eyebrows. While acknowledging the difficulty of assessing a coach’s decisions from the outside, he highlighted the need for Italy to embrace a younger generation of players rather than overly relying on veteran talent. The current squad selection, particularly with Chiesa’s reported absence due to him turning down a call-up, introduces additional complications.
As for the next two fixtures, Del Monte believes Italy should adopt an aggressive mindset, particularly in dominating the Moldova game to keep faint hopes of catching Norway alive. He insists that Gattuso should focus on attacking play rather than merely settling for a safe strategy. This would serve both as a confidence booster for the team and a gauge of Gattuso’s strategic capabilities, especially ahead of the decisive clash against Norway.
Del Monte also underscored the potential crisis for Italian football if the national team were to miss out on a third consecutive World Cup. The implications of such a failure extend beyond the sport, resonating deeply with Italian culture, where football has always held a cherished place. He pointed out that a significant portion of the current youth has no recollection of Italy’s successes on the World Cup stage, illustrating a disconnect that could have lasting effects on the sport’s popularity in Italy.
With the clock ticking toward the decisive matches, the pressure mounts on Gattuso and his squad. The path ahead is fraught with challenges, yet there lies a hope that with strategic planning and a renewed focus on bringing in youthful talent, the Azzurri can reclaim their status and passion on the international stage. The outcomes of these fixtures could be pivotal not just for qualification, but for revitalizing the spirit of Italian football for generations to come.