Gattuso confident of reaching World Cup as Italy reign begins

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Gennaro Gattuso is convinced Italy can qualify for the World Cup as he begins his reign as Azzurri coach following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti earlier this month.

Spalletti confirmed he had been sacked in a press conference, off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Norway in World Cup qualifying, before leading Italy to a 2-0 win over Moldova.

Italy are at risk of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup, with their recent run leaving them nine points behind Group I leaders Norway.

Asked whether he had more hope or conviction that Italy could reach next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Gattuso said: “conviction”.

“I believe that we have good players available to us. We have four or five who are among the top 10 in the world in their position,” added Gattuso.

“We have a good team, but I do mean team, I’m not thinking about individuals. I’m convinced that the team has quality and I’m convinced that we can achieve our goal.”

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Gattuso has a tough job on his hands with only top spot in the group giving them automatic qualification to the World Cup, even with Italy playing two games less than Norway.

As well as the significant points gap, Italy have a goal difference which is 12 goals worse than Norway’s, who hammered them earlier in June.

Indeed, it saw Italy concede at least three goals in the first half of a World Cup qualifying match for the first time in their history.

That leaves Italy with the play-offs, from which they failed to reach the last two tournaments, as their only realistic shot at qualification.

“My goal is that whoever comes to the training ground comes with great enthusiasm and to create a family,” said Gattuso.

“The primary aim is to create a sense of belonging” to the Azzurri team, Gattuso also told reporters during his presentation.

The new coach said he believed players felt the pressure of having missed out on qualification for two World Cups in a row and that was weighing on the team’s performance.

“We must be good at reacting. Only those who react and give it all can get out of this situation,” he said.

Gattuso will be in the dugout for the first time in September when Italy host Estonia in Bergamo before travelling to Hungary to take on Israel.