Locatelli after Italy humbling: “We were fragile, qualification is a must” | OneFootball

Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli admitted Italy were fragile in their World Cup qualifier against Norway, as they suffered another embarrassing defeat at the hands of Erling Haaland and company.

Heading to the final group-stage round, the Azzurri knew fully well that only a miracle would allow them to clinch the top spot and book an automatic place in the tournament. After all, they were three points behind the Scandinavians, who also had a 3-0 advantage in the double header.

Nevertheless, the San Siro crowd was at least hoping for a pride-restoring victory that could serve as a morale-booster ahead of the play-offs in March.

Locatelli urges Italy to improve after Norway beatdown

The Italians started on the right foot, taking an early lead through Francesco Pio Esposito. However, a second-half onslaught from the Norwegians turned the result upside-down and saw them prevail by four goals to one, much to the dismay of the home supporters in the stands.

Locatelli was selected as the holding midfielder in Gennaro Gattuso’s hybrid 3-5-2 formation and lasted 78 minutes. The Juventus skipper left the pitch between Norway’s second and third goals (both scored by Haaland).

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After the contest, the 27-year-old highlighted the team’s main weakness, while urging his compatriots to regroup and give their all in the playoffs.

“Qualification was seriously compromised in Oslo, but today we had the potential to do better,” said Locatelli in his post-match interview via IlBianconero. “We tried to score the second goal, but then we were fragile, and that must not happen again.”

“We need to understand where we went wrong, especially in the moments when we needed to be more united. Now we’re waiting for the draw and want to arrive in March with renewed energy.”

“Norway’s level was high, but we definitely needed to do better. We know how to take responsibility; we’ll have to do better in March. This shouldn’t be our level. We can and must do better .”

Should Manuel Locatelli change his role?

For his part, Locatelli played a solid match from a defensive perspective but was once again limited in possession, failing to provide the required flair in the build-up

Like Juventus, Italy should consider finding a more attacking-minded Regista, and perhaps entrust the former Sassuolo star with a box-to-box role, where his hard-working displays would be better rewarded.