Gattuso's Italy Eyes World Cup Return: 'Fans Don't Score Goals'

Gattuso's men seek World Cup spot

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso leads his team against Bosnia in a World Cup playoff final, seeking a spot in the 2026 tournament.

Italy takes on Bosnia in a World Cup playoff final, with Gattuso's team aiming to return to the tournament for the first time since 2014...

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is unfazed by the atmosphere in Bosnia, saying “fans don't score goals” and that his team is focused on the pitch. He's brushing off concerns over pitch conditions, stating it's the same for both teams, and they're ready to face Bosnia in the World Cup playoff final.

Gattuso is proud of his team, saying they've shown pride and desire, and he's hopeful they'll reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014. Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in their semi-final match, and now they're looking to take on Bosnia in Zenica.

Italy had to switch things up due to the weather. Snow and rain in Bosnia raised concerns about the pitch, so they trained in Florence on Monday morning before heading out. Now, they're all set for their match.

“It's an excuse. If the pitch is bad, it's bad for both teams, the match still has to be played,” Gattuso told reporters.

“If we start thinking about the pitch, ‌the stands... no, that's weak. I've seen the pitch and ⁠it's fine. Honestly, even if it ‌were bad, there's little we could do.

“The respect we have for Bosnia is enormous, for what they show on the pitch. As for the fans, they don't score goals, that's never happened to me.”

Gattuso stepped in for Luciano Spalletti after Italy's qualification campaign took a hit with a loss to Norway. He took over and led the team to a Euro 2024 playoff spot, and now he's aiming for the World Cup.

Less Pretty, More Solid

Gattuso's Italy might not be the prettiest to watch, but they're showing solid progress under his leadership, and that's what's counting

“Tactically, the other night we got it wrong,” Gattuso said.

“Seven months ago we were not this team. We suffered against opponents, they reached our goal easily, they created chances. At the beginning we conceded ridiculous goals, we were fragile, we struggled to hold our shape.

“Maybe ‌we didn't play ultra‑offensive football and maybe we were less brilliant, but right now I prefer a team that is solid, that suffers less, even if it means being less pretty.”

Gattuso, a member of Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning team, is urging his current squad to channel that same spirit as they bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“We will go out there with desire and aggression. That's the most important aspect of our footballing history,” he said.

“We became champions not because we were the strongest, but because of our competitive edge and our ability to suffer.”

“People said there was no ‌pride in this team, that nobody cared, but I see it every day, and I sincerely hope, not for myself, but for these lads, that we reach ‌this objective.

🛬 #BosniaItalia#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/BdLd1OtvCC

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 30, 2026

 

“I'm proud of them, I'm happy with them, even if things go badly. I hope they don't.”

And if things were to go badly?

“This isn't the right moment to talk about it,” Gattuso said.

“It would be a disappointment, a heavy blow. I would have to take responsibility because I am the ⁠coach, but we'll talk about that afterwards.

📍𝒁𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂 - 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑜 𝐵𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑜 𝑃𝑜𝑙𝑗𝑒 🏟️#BosniaItalia #Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/ILTbmqlpL6

— Nazionale Italiana ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri) March 30, 2026

“There ⁠are people whose job it ‌is to decide what will happen. My thoughts, I keep to myself.”