World Cup Qualifier: Italy's Gattuso Warns of “Far from Ideal” Atmosphere
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso warns of 'far from ideal' atmosphere ahead of World Cup qualifier against Israel and stresses need for team improvement.
“We also know that we have to play, otherwise we’ll be given an automatic 3-0 defeat...”
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is preparing his team for a challenging atmosphere ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Israel. The match, scheduled for Stadio Friuli in Udine, will take place under heightened security and with a reduced crowd due to ongoing protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. Gattuso emphasized the need for concentration, saying, “We need to work with concentration and not get caught up in everything that's coming from outside. The atmosphere is certainly not great, but we need to focus on doing our part.”
Gattuso's side recently secured a 5-4 victory over Israel in a dramatic match hosted in Hungary, where the Israeli national team has been playing their home matches since launching an offensive in Gaza. Despite a perfect start under Gattuso's tenure with two wins from two, he believes there's still room for improvement. “There are many things we need to fix. It’s not just about the defence, but about being able to sniff out danger in all areas of the pitch,” he said.
The Italy-Israel match is expected to draw significant attention due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has sparked mass pro-Palestinian protests across Italy. Gattuso expressed his heartache over the situation, stating, “It pains the heart to see what is happening... We want to qualify for the World Cup and I would have preferred to play a home match in front of an enthusiastic crowd.”
“We need to work with concentration and not get caught up in everything that's coming from outside. The atmosphere is certainly not great, but we need to focus on doing our part,” Gattuso told reporters on Tuesday.
The Italy vs. Israel match in Udine is expected to be a highly tense affair, with heightened security measures in place and a significantly reduced crowd. This decision follows a wave of pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Italy, with large protests taking place in recent weeks in response to Israel's actions in Gaza. The Udine mayor, Alberto Felice De Toni, has expressed concerns about the situation, warning that there will be more people outside the stadium protesting than attending the match.
Gattuso speaks ahead of the upcoming qualifiers 🗣️🎙️#Nazionale #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/ZHmK2t7sHL
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) October 7, 2025
“We're going to Udine and we know there won't be many fans: I understand that, I understand the concerns,” Gattuso said.
“We also know that we have to play, otherwise we’ll be given an automatic 3-0 defeat.”
The conflict between Israel and Gaza is rooted in a complex history of violence and territorial disputes. In October 2023, a Hamas-led attack resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. This event triggered a significant escalation in hostilities between Israel and Hamas, leading to a prolonged military campaign.
The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on the people of Gaza. According to Palestinian health authorities, Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 people, with a significant portion of the casualties being women and children. The situation remains dire, with many calling for an end to the violence and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
“It pains the heart to see what is happening,” added Gattuso. “We know full well there will be 10,000 people outside the stadium and 6,000 inside.”
Norway is currently leading Group I with 15 points, followed closely by Italy and Israel, who both have 9 points, but Italy has a game in hand. This means Italy could potentially catch up or even surpass Norway if they win their upcoming matches.
“There are many things we need to fix. It’s not just about the defence, but about being able to sniff out danger in all areas of the pitch,” he said.
“At the same time, there are also many positives. We were the ones who allowed Israel back into the game and we were very lucky to take the result home. We’ve got to improve our attitude, it’s not about the tactical system.”
Current Group I Standings:
- Norway: 15 points
- Italy: 9 points (1 game in hand)
- Israel: 9 points
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has gotten off to a strong start, securing two wins in two matches. Although Italy's 5-4 victory over Israel in September was a nail-biter, with Sandro Tonali scoring the winning goal at the last minute. This win showcases Italy's determination and ability to perform under pressure.
The training camp is underway 💪pic.twitter.com/vZ4SsW5IUG#Nazionale #VivoAzzurro
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) October 7, 2025
Upcoming Matches:
Italy vs Estonia: World Cup qualifier in Tallinn on Saturday
Italy vs Israel: World Cup qualifier at Stadio Friuli in Udine on Tuesday
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