Gattuso on Ireland: We must believe, Chiesa's issue, not mine | OneFootball

The National Team knows its path to the 2026 World Cup: first the home semi-final against Northern Ireland, then – if successful – the away final against the winner between Wales and Bosnia.

Italy, Gattuso: “Ireland? We must play it with conviction. Chiesa? His problems, not mine…”

READ ALSO: 2026 World Cup Playoffs, Italy with Northern Ireland, possible away final against Wales or Bosnia

A challenging journey that will take place in March, with semi-finals on the 26th and finals on the 31st. Rino Gattuso, speaking after the draw, offered a clear and pragmatic reading of the Azzurri's moment, identifying technical, psychological, and organizational priorities.

A tough opponent and a non-negotiable goal

The coach's analysis is clear: Italy will have to face an intense and robust team, difficult to break down. “Northern Ireland is a physically well-prepared group, they never shy away from a duel. We must play it with conviction,” explained Gattuso. The coach reminded that access to the playoffs was already anticipated: the path is complex, but qualification remains an essential goal.

Work organization and stage management

On the possibility of scheduling a stage before the matches, Gattuso clarified his operational role, distinguishing it from institutional decisions: “I don't decide on the dates, but it's clear that the more time we have available, the better we can prepare the players. We will meet again on the thirtieth day, when many games will be defined: for me, it will be essential to find ways to stay in touch with the guys, talk to them, understand them beyond the field.”

The idea is to develop a continuous relationship with the group, maintaining high attention and working on aspects that require more consolidation. The gap between international windows indeed risks slowing down the team's tactical and mental progress.

Fragilities, formations, and technical responsibilities

Gattuso rejects the simplification that the Azzurri's problem is solely related to the system of play: “The formation is not the origin of the difficulties. Every setup has advantages and limits. At this moment, we must face our fragilities: when we interpret the game correctly, we can be competitive, but the mistakes made against Norway are unacceptable.”

The priority is therefore to strengthen emotional resilience and continuity within the ninety minutes, avoiding sudden drops and technical lapses that have compromised results and certainties.

The Chiesa case: clarity and responsibility

Among the most sensitive topics, the Chiesa case. Gattuso was direct, defining the situation as the player's responsibility rather than the technical staff's: “I always call up Chiesa. The point is not that I or my staff don't see him: the problem is his.”

An unequivocal message, calling the Juventus talent to continuity, full availability, and the ability to integrate into a collective project that requires reliable figures.

Relationships with players and possible work windows

The coach also emphasized the importance of direct confrontation with those playing abroad: “In the coming days, I will visit some of the guys. A chat over tea can be useful to restore trust and mentality. I hope we are granted a date for a stage, even a short one, before the playoffs.”

A significant step that highlights how, beyond the field, Gattuso considers it crucial to build a solid mental and relational identity.

The lesson from Norway

On the last defeat, the coach made self-criticism but also a constructive analysis: “The game against Norway could have misled us. The 4-1 exposed what we need to improve. The first half was very positive, but we cannot disappear from the field in the second half. A shift in terms of personality is needed.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.