Italy World Cup play-off: Every word Gattuso said in 1st March press conference | OneFootball

Football Italia Live Blog

This page will update live with the latest relevant news, no need to refresh the page!

Gennaro Gattuso addresses the media, including Football Italia, in his first press conference during the March break as the Azzurri prepare for a World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.

It begins at 14:00 CET (13:00 GMT) at Italy’s training centre in Coverciano.

Gattuso has called up 28 players, but Federico Chiesa pulled out of the squad on Monday morning and was replaced by Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi.

The likes of Alessandro Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini and Gianluca Scamacca must be assessed as they arrived at Coverciano with physical issues.

Bastoni has not played the last two Inter games; Scamacca missed Sunday’s Atalanta match against Verona; and Mancini was replaced during Roma’s 1-0 win over Lecce yesterday.

Italy will face Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal in Bergamo on Thursday, March 26. If they progress to the final, they’ll visit either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy players will train here at Coverciano later today at 17:00 CET.

Why Chiesa returned to Liverpool and others stayed in Coverciano

“They are not all the same, the players’ heads are not the same. 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, and I had to accept it. Rapports are important, besides a game. I don’t have great medical knowledge, but I’ve understood that one can’t insist much. I don’t insist, but when one wants to return home, it’s right to let him do it.”

2026-03-23 13:32:54

Locatelli

“He has improved; he is playing with great technical and physical qualities. Every big player has missed penalties, but he has great trust, he is revived, and he can help us a lot.”

2026-03-23 13:30:33

Lack of goals from Italian strikers in Serie A

“Abroad, they don’t defend as we do. This is the difference. The way we stay on the pitch, the defensive methods are different here.”

2026-03-23 13:29:40

Italy winning in other sports

“I believe that there are cycles. There were periods when football was successful and didn’t win much in tennis. I feel proud when I see Italy win in other sports, but I believe there are cycles in sports. Right now, history suggests we are struggling a bit, but we have a big opportunity to reach our target. I have great admiration for Italians winning in other sports.”

2026-03-23 13:28:38

Playing in Bergamo

“I chose the stadium. I want to thank the President and Buffon for letting me decide. I believe that when you go to a 60,000-seat stadium like San Siro, there are Inter and Milan fans, and they might start booing after a few wrong passes. Playing in a smaller stadium will likely give us a better atmosphere.

“They did so in my first game as Italy’s coach, despite finishing the first half with a 0-0 draw. We hope to create a real cauldron-like atmosphere and that we haven’t messed things up.

“Thursday’s game is the only target. All the rest is the past, and I think we have a great chance.”

2026-03-23 13:26:01

Young players

“It doesn’t matter if a player is young or not. You need to understand the kind of games we play and the experience of the players. Football has changed, there are five subsitutions and those coming from the bench are also important.”

2026-03-23 13:23:04

Group and Nothern Ireland

“All players who are here are aware of what we play for and how important this game is. Imagine me telling them about this every day, every moment. We do what we have to in order to get to the game with great tranquillity; there’s no need to suffocate them. These are players who have won a lot, played Champions League Finals, and won the Euros with the Azzurri shirt. I strongly believe in our players. It takes great confidence because these players are accustomed to playing these games, so we must have the right mentality and serenity.

“We must get to this game with great desire, be clear-headed and smell the danger. We respect the opponents, they run so much, they have a big heart and are scary from set pieces.”

2026-03-23 13:21:58

Inter players

“Dimarco has had amazing numbers this season. I talk every day with Barella. People expect more and more, and he knows it. I expect intensity and desire from him. I have great trust in him. He’s aware of his qualities. Obviously, when he plays below par, he’s heavily criticised because he’s a great player and I have great expectations of him.”

2026-03-23 13:20:16

Injured players and Chiesa

“Scamacca has an adductor problem; we evaluate him day by day, same as Bastoni. Tonali will train with a low workload today. Mancini has fatigue; no issues were seen from exams. Calafiori felt a little discomfort yesterday, but we hope he’ll be there.

“Chiesa arrived yesterday. He had a few physical problems, and we decided it was useless for him to stay here.

“I’m aware that players like Zaniolo have done really well, but I made decisions in good faith. I didn’t want to lose time to explain how to stay together, and I have great confidence in the players I’ve called.”

2026-03-23 13:17:24

“Believe me, so many players had little physical issues, but they all wanted to come here. When one is injured, he usually thinks about staying with the club to recover, but this has changed, and I see great commitment, it’s not a clichée.”

2026-03-23 13:14:03

Mentality

“We must think about what we have ahead. It’s already difficult to wear the Azzurri jersey, especially in recent years. Italy didn’t play in the last two World Cups, so we must be able to make the players feel lighter. We know there are difficulties. The game against Norway at San Siro was great in the first half, but then we struggled after the first difficulty. We’ve worked on this. Incidents can happen, but what matters is how we react. We have a big chance.”

2026-03-23 13:13:03

Dinners with the players

“We didn’t do them to talk about tactics. I have tried since the first day to build rapport with the players. I know you’ll ask me about Zaniolo, Bernardeschi, and Orsolini, even if the latter was here recently. But I tried to create a group, and I’m very satisfied with it. I hope with all my heart that we’ll reach this target. I believe this group deserves joy for what we’ve done in these months.”

2026-03-23 13:11:15

Bastoni's fitness

“You all know the problems he’s had. We must be grateful for his availability. He arrived here yesterday to have treatment, and we hope he’ll be available. Hat off to his great availability.”

2026-03-23 13:10:04

We begin

“There are no excuses; we must only think about Thursday’s game. Other teams have injured players, too. I had to pick the players who are in their best shape. We’ve worked a lot. My staff and I did everything we could; now it’s up to us. It’s useless to think about what we could have done; we must only think about Thursday’s game, nothing else. Everyone must only be focused on this game.”

2026-03-23 13:09:11

Here’s the coach. The press conference is about to begin.

2026-03-23 13:00:03

Delegation chief Gigi Buffon is here too.

2026-03-23 12:57:15

FIGC President Gravina has arrived. We are waiting for Ringhio now.

2026-03-23 12:55:56

High media attendance in the press room at Coverciano, the CT will be here in less than ten minutes.

2026-03-23 12:52:39