epa11984179 Head coach Luciano Spalletti of Italy looks on during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, 2nd leg match between Germany and Italy in Dortmund, Germany, 23 March 2025. EPA-EFE/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL
Luciano Spalletti admits Italy must ‘ask yourself questions’ after a shocking performance against Norway in the opening World Cup qualifier and hints the FIGC might want to sack him.
This was a disastrous start to the World Cup qualifying campaign, as the Azzurri were already 3-0 down by half-time in Oslo to goals from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland.
“It can be explained with the way the game went. We conceded the first goal that was avoidable, then in the open spaces, they had a couple of individual moves that caused us problems,” Spalletti told RAI Sport.
“After that, it was all more difficult.”
Spalletti acknowledges Italy problems
The first and indeed only shot on target was from Lorenzo Lucca in stoppages, which wasn’t even a difficult save. Why was there simply no reaction from the Nazionale, similar to the EURO 2024 debacle against Switzerland?
“After going 2-0 down, they sat back in their own half, it was difficult to find spaces, but above all the lack of players who could take players on in one-on-one situations made the difference.”
Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Norway 3-0 Italy
Only the top team goes through directly to the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, while runners-up enter the play-offs, so this defeat is already a huge blow for qualifying hopes.
Italy missed out on the last two World Cup competitions in 2018 and 2022 by faltering at the play-off stage.
Spalletti was asked if this result and performance puts the entire Italy project in doubt.
“I am the head of this group, it is a squad I chose and so I continue with them. We need to improve in certain aspects, because we cannot give advantages to the opponents by gifting the ball,” replied the coach.
“This is the best group that we evaluated, so we continue with these players.”
Spalletti opens door to dismissal
The Nazionale are back in action on Monday evening when hosting Moldova, so there has got to be the hope that they can start to get some points on the board in Reggio Emilia.
When speaking to Sky Sport Italia moments later, Spalletti hinted that perhaps he could open himself up to a resignation or dismissal.
“This is not who we are, because in terms of individuals, we can do more, but you can also see this is a difficult moment. A few things did happen to us, but this is the squad I chose and will continue with,” added the CT.
“I need to talk to President Gravina about their intentions, their view on the decision I make. I chose this group because I thought there was quality, but if we are so fragile that we don’t keep an offside trap, we don’t chase down opponents, then there is a lack of confidence. Quality isn’t enough without that.”
Is he feeling worried because the World Cup now seems very far away?
“There are always worries, because after a performance like that, you clearly have to ask yourself questions and realise there are problems, but you have to face them, because there is no other possibility,” concluded Spalletti.
