Italy coach wants ‘maximum commitment’ with World Cup bid on the line

ROME – Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso on Nov 10 called on his side to be fully committed, with the Azzurri’s direct qualification hopes for the 2026 World Cup no longer in their own hands.

Italy play away in Moldova on Nov 13 and host Norway in Milan three days later. The Italians are second in Group I, three points behind leaders Norway.

“This won’t be a simple outing. I want to see maximum commitment to continue what we started in September,” Gattuso told a pre-match press conference.

“Against Moldova, we’ll try out players who haven’t had much playing time, but we have to think about ourselves and not about what Norway will do.

“The match against Moldova is the most important because the one against Norway is easier to prepare for.

“We know that this Norwegian team can cause us problems with their speed, their physical presence, their exceptional style of football.”

Italy failed to reach the last two World Cups. They are guaranteed at least a play-off spot after securing a top-two finish.

They can still mathematically finish first and qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in North America, by beating Moldova and Norway and overhauling the latter’s significant goal difference advantage. Norway have a +26 goal difference, compared to Italy’s +10.

Gattuso will be without Fiorentina striker Moise Kean, who has six goals in his last four appearances for the national team. He is nursing a bruised left tibia.

Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, has decided against playing for Italy

during the November break.

Since succeeding Luciano Spalletti – dismissed after the 3-0 defeat in Oslo in early June – Gattuso has revitalised Italy, who have now racked up four consecutive wins with 16 goals scored.

The former AC Milan star also clarified that the training camp initially planned as preparation for the play-offs in March could not take place “due to a lack of available slots in the schedule”.

“It’s up to us to do our best by scouting players both in Italy and abroad,” he added.

Elsewhere, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman said defender Matthijs de Ligt is deserving of his recall to the Dutch squad after several strong performances for Manchester United.

De Ligt, who scored a late equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League on Nov 8, returns to the squad in place of Inter Milan’s Stefan de Vrij, who has been dropped for the World Cup qualifiers against Poland and Lithuania.

The Dutch have a three-point lead over Poland and a much better goal difference in Group G and will qualify if they win in Warsaw on Nov 14. If not, they are expected to secure their berth when they host Lithuania on Nov 17.

“Partly, it is based on playing time, although Nathan Ake isn’t playing 50 per cent of the (Manchester City) matches, but he’s part of this squad... and I felt I should select Matthijs based on what he’s showing,” said Koeman.

“He’s been through a difficult period. I’ve spoken to him and told him he didn’t look confident in his actions, but now that’s much better. And his position at the club and the club’s performance will always be important.”

As for Ake, Koeman said the left-footed defender helps to balance the number of right-footed defenders in the squad, adding: “That makes all the difference having him in the squad. He’s an important player who has always been there when I’ve needed him.”

De Ligt’s club teammate, Slovenia’s Benjamin Sesko, will miss his team’s two crucial World Cup qualifiers after the United forward suffered a knee injury in the Tottenham clash.

Sesko came off in the 88th minute with what United believe is not a serious injury.

Slovenia need to beat Kosovo at home on Nov 15 and then at least draw against Sweden away on Nov 18 to have any chance of a World Cup play-off spot. AFP, REUTERS