Italy Coach Gattuso Urges Players to Block Out Past Failures

World Cup Play-off, Gattuso seeks right mentality from Italy

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso emphasizes mental strength ahead of World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Italy seeks to break three-consecutive World Cup qualification failure streak, Gattuso focuses on 'right mentality...'

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is emphasizing the importance of mental strength as his team prepares for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on Thursday. He's urging his players to put past failures behind them, specifically the painful qualification campaign misses in 2018 and 2022.

Gattuso wants his players to focus on the present and maintain a clear head, saying, “There are no excuses; we must only think about Thursday’s game. We must have the right mentality and serenity.” He's chosen the smaller Stadio di Bergamo for the match, hoping to create a supportive atmosphere, unlike the potentially hostile environment of a larger stadium like San Siro.

Italy is looking to break a slump of three consecutive World Cup qualification failures. Their last World Cup win was a 2-1 group-stage victory over England 12 years ago, aside from their 2006 trophy win.

“We must be able to make the players feel lighter,” Gattuso told reporters at Italy's Coverciano training base on Monday, as the team seeks a fresh start. 

“Italy didn’t play in the last two World Cups... but there is no need to suffocate them. These are players who have won the Euros and played in Champions League finals. They are accustomed to these games.”

“There are no excuses; we must only think about Thursday’s game,” Gattuso said. "We must ⁠have the right mentality and serenity. We respect the opponents... but we must be clear-headed and smell the danger.”

Italy faces Northern Ireland on Thursday, and if they win, they'll play the winner of Wales vs Bosnia & Herzegovina on March 31 for a World Cup spot in North America.

Meanwhile, Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa has left Italy's camp, Gattuso confirmed. 

“He had a few physical problems, and we decided it was useless for him to stay here,” Gattuso said. “When I heard that he had problems and doubts, I had to make a decision. He didn’t feel up for it, so he decided to return home. When one wants to return home, it’s ‌right to let him do it.”

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Gattuso chose the 23,000-seat Stadio di Bergamo over the San Siro for Italy's play-off, saying he wanted to avoid a “caustic” atmosphere if the team struggled early on. 

“At a 60,000-seat stadium like San Siro, they might start booing after a few wrong passes,” Gattuso explained. “I want to create a real cauldron-like ⁠atmosphere. Thursday’s game is ⁠the only target. All the ‌rest is the past.”