Italy legend explains why Gattuso will change system vs. Norway | OneFootball

Italian legend Antonio Cabrini feels Gennaro Gattuso will use a three-man defence in a World Cup qualifying fixture against Norway as he’ll be looking for ‘certainties’ at the back.

Italy host Norway at San Siro this evening, but will need a win by nine goals to overtake their rivals at the top of Group I. This means the Azzurri are practically guaranteed to go through the playoffs to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Cabrini: Why Gattuso will change Italy’s system vs. Norway

Antonio Cabrini

“For now, Gattuso has done what he was asked to: win matches. But the decisive games are not these,” Cabrini, a 1982 Italy World Cup winner, told Tuttosport via TMW.

Gattuso beat Moldova 2-0 with a 4-4-2 formation on Thursday, but he’ll go for a 3-5-2 this evening.

“He changes the system because he’s looking for certainties defensively,” noted Cabrini.

“Norway have Haaland and much more,” the ex-defender added.

OSLO, NORWAY – NOVEMBER 13: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Norway and Estonia at Ullevaal Stadion on November 13, 2025 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Marius Nordnes / Nordnes Foto/Getty Images)

“They are no longer the weak national team they used to be. We must recognise that some countries have made good investments in their abilities and their men.”

As for the likely World Cup playoffs to be played in March 2026, Cabrini added: “Nobody will gift us anything; we’ll need a national team that will want to be the protagonist and, mostly, will express a certain level of football on the field.”