Sacchi Urges Gattuso to Rebuild Italy from the Ground Up
Italy’s hopes of automatic World Cup qualification ended in dramatic fashion after a 4-1 loss to Norway. Below you will see information about is news which has been summarized The Football Breakdown.
The Azzurri needed an improbable 9-0 victory to top their qualifying group, and although Pio Esposito opened the scoring early, the lead did little to ease tension. Italy defended well in the first half, holding a 1-0 advantage, but the second half saw a total collapse.
Antonio Nusa equalised in the 60th minute, giving Norway momentum. Erling Haaland then scored twice in quick succession, breaking the game open. Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen added a late goal to seal the heavy defeat. The result leaves Italy facing the pressure of World Cup play-offs once again, a path they know all too well after missing the last two tournaments.
Manager Gennaro Gattuso apologised to fans, saying: “We must apologise to our fans because 4-1 is a heavy defeat. It’s a shame because we had a very good first half, where we played as a real team.” The focus now shifts to repairing morale and preparing for the decisive play-offs.
Sacchi Calls for a Return to Basics
Legendary coach Arrigo Sacchi was scathing in his assessment, suggesting Italy may need to relearn football fundamentals. Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he said players were making “errors that a Serie A player cannot make.” He even likened the process to teaching the alphabet to school children, emphasizing humility and focus on basics before advanced tactics.
Sacchi criticised mistakes such as defenders turning their backs on crosses, allowing Haaland free shots, and botched passes during build-up play. He believes that these basic errors reveal deeper issues in both technique and mindset.
According to Sacchi, a focused training camp, like those previously held at Coverciano, would help rebuild the squad, though club priorities might make this difficult. He stressed that patience, repeated practice, and teamwork are essential for rebuilding Italy’s confidence and structure. Without addressing these fundamental errors, he warns that the national team will struggle in high-pressure situations.
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Pressure of the Play-Offs
Italy has not qualified for a World Cup since 2014, and previous play-off failures against Sweden (2018) and North Macedonia (2022) linger in the background. Sacchi believes that fear and tension could hinder Italy’s performance in upcoming decisive matches. He advised Gattuso to focus on morale, stating that the team should eliminate doubts, settle controversies, and concentrate solely on the objective.
Sacchi insists that Italy should approach the play-offs without fear, but the heavy defeat to Norway highlights the need for psychological as well as tactical preparation. Rebuilding confidence, Sacchi says, is as important as correcting technical flaws. Only a mentally and tactically balanced team can handle the pressure of the play-offs and achieve qualification.
Gattuso’s Preparations Ahead
Gennaro Gattuso now faces the challenge of implementing these lessons before the play-offs. He plans to analyse the 4-1 defeat in detail, identifying weaknesses while reinforcing areas of strength. The manager’s priority is assembling the best possible squad, refining tactics, and instilling confidence in the players.
Training sessions will likely focus on correcting defensive lapses, improving team cohesion, and preparing Italy for high-pressure scenarios. Gattuso must balance rebuilding morale with sharpening competitive edge to ensure the team is ready to compete effectively in the play-offs. Italy’s path to Qatar 2026 is far from guaranteed, but with a clear focus on basics and psychology, Gattuso can give the Azzurri a fighting chance to return to football’s biggest stage. Follow footballtipsonline.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest stories.
