Interview I Journalist Adriano Del Monte on Italy national team: “Missing a third World Cup? It would be a total disaster” | OneFootball

Ahead of the last  international window of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers group-stage, the Get Italian Football News team had Italian football journalist and television broadcaster Adriano Del Monte exclusively provide his insight on the Azzurri heading into the two remaining fixtures prior to the qualification playoffs. 

As it stands, Italy sit second in Group I with a total of 15 points, 3 points adrift with leaders Norway. The Azzurri are set to play Maldova and Norway respectively. Given the 16 goal margin between Norway and the Italian national team, a victory against Estonia would pretty much grant the Norwegian international team automatic qualification for the first time since 1998. 

Hence, it is seemingly evident that coach Gennaro Gattuso’s side will most likely finish runner-ups in the Group, forcing the Azzurri to take part in a two-legged play-off match to determine whether they will take part in the 2026 World Cup.

Prior to focusing on the upcoming set of fixtures, Del Monte was first asked to provide his insight on how well Gattuso has done so far since taking over from coach Luciano Spalletti following the current Juventus coach’s abysmal 2024 Euro campaign, followed by a shocking 3-0 defeat to Norway in the World Cup qualifiers.

Since being appointed at the helm of Italian national team, Gattuso has managed to win four consecutive matches in a row within the group-phase, guaranteeing no less than second place in the group to avoid early elimination from taking part in the upcoming World Cup.

“So far, so good. It’s a case of the results have been there. We’ve seen comparisons to former managers. The results are there. It’s been a positive start. So I guess from that regard, you can only beat who’s in front of you. And so far, he’s ticked every box required of him. Obviously, we’ll learn a little bit more in this window now with the Norway test, a match which I’m sure we’ll get into it.

 “But while it may not be the most important, given the fact that qualification on Norway’s end would very likely be all but secured, it’s still an opportunity to test Gattuso and his squad against a team that are more than capable and obviously are very likely to win the group.

 “So look, I think in terms of how Gattuso’s start has been, he’s done what he’s been able to do. I think there is still some clear signs of improvements that are required. But I think the reality for every Italian fan is the situation is the situation. We’re in this position for reasons that are far deeper, far more significant than just who’s the manager on the touchline. And so I think Gattuso’s got the cards he’s got.

 “And I think with a decent and experienced support staff around him, all I called for at the start was just to see some rejuvenation, some energy, some hunger in amongst his squad. And I think Gattuso is certainly one who can bring that. So look, time will tell.

 “Obviously, some big international matches to come in 2026 and hopefully a World Cup as well. But so far, so good is what I’ll say about Gennaro to this point”

In addition, Del Monte provided his thoughts on the roster that was selected for the upcoming international window, after some questionable decisions in which promising full-back Michael Kayode, re-surging forward Nicolo Zaniolo, and well-documented forward Federico Chiesa were all left out of the Italian national team squad. 

 “Look, it’s very difficult, even being in my broadcaster position on the outside, to comment on the decisions a coach makes, because who am I to suggest what Gennaro Gattuso should or shouldn’t do? But obviously, there are a few question marks in the squad. And again, look, it’s not about highlighting individuals who are in the squad.

 “I particularly don’t like doing that for mine, because I work for one of these players directly. And it’s not about that. But you are within your right to question the presence of some of the elder players, some of those closer to either side of 30, who perhaps haven’t been so consistent in even at club level.

 “When we have been crying out for so long about bringing through the next generation, younger players, youth development, youth progression, that for me in general, as opposed to pinpointing individuals is where we need to change our mentality at league level, national team level.

 “Our focus has to be as we’ve seen with the other big nations and other big leagues, Spain, England, Germany, France, there is youth everywhere. Whereas in Italy, Federico Chiesa, a player who I do love, is still considered to be young, but he is not young, he is much closer to 30 than he is 20.

 “He’s not young. So we do need to see a shift in this approach and not just rely on the experienced campaigners who have had some success with us in the past. And I think culturally, that’s a bit of an issue across the board.

 “And that’s not something that is going to change in football tomorrow. But more so highlighting those who have missed out. Now, Chiesa is the interesting one, because there have been, well, Gattuso said, they’re not reports, Gattuso said that Chiesa has refused, rejected a call up again.

 “I’m not saying that I’m calling out Gattuso there for not speaking the truth. But I don’t see from having dealt with Federico Chiesa many times and knowing the type of person he is, I don’t see how that’s entirely true without something else going on. And that, for me, is a cause for concern.

 “Because as you correctly said, this would have been the perfect window, especially the Moldova game, to reintegrate Chiesa into his squad, a player that, yes, many suggest, OK, perhaps past his best. The injuries have derailed his career. Maybe some truth in that.

 “But this is still a player who has weapons that we do not possess in this team. And that could have been a really important opportunity to see if he’s capable of bringing his best, as we’ve seen in England and Liverpool. Can he do it for this national team?

 “Kayode, another, even Nicolo Zaniolo, who I’ve covered quite a bit in the last couple of months, returned to some goalscoring form, getting back to his confident best, which is so great to see.

 “He’s had a difficult young career to this point. But a player, again, for me, just on the outside, someone who can offer something different to what we currently have. So, look, with very few windows to go between now and this possible World Cup, you’re running out of time.

 “And I mean, if this particular squad, again, without naming names, if this particular squad is the squad that we will take to a World Cup, I don’t know. I don’t know how much confidence there is about that. But of course, the objective is just get there.

 “And look, if Gattuso thinks this is the squad to do that, well, we have to back him and support him all the way.”

Furthermore, Del Monte was asked to provide his perspective of how the Italian national team should approach the next two fixtures mentally given that it is very improbable that Norway will slip up against Estonia and how he expects Gattuso will tactically set up his side for the international window.

“It’s a very good question, because obviously, look, Moldova, 9,999 times out of 10,000 Italy will win the game. That’s not going to be a problem.

 “But there is still that glimmer of hope that if there is a slip up or that if we score an incredible amount of goals, something can happen. And it’s a little conflicting this because on one hand, it provides an opportunity for Gattuso to really cement himself tactically, get a feel for it, maybe tweak some things and not really focus on scoring 10 plus goals, but just playing a perfect 90 minutes. So there’s that great opportunity.

 “But I think he has to go for it. I think we have to see a team just to keep the window alive. I think we have to see a team going all out attack.

 “I think that has to be the approach, because albeit near impossible, but I’m already thinking about the playoffs. So it’s near impossible. But if you can do something and even if Norway beat Estonia, but they only win by a goal or two and somehow you can score 10 plus goals, suddenly it becomes a little possible as opposed to impossible.

 “So I think he will give up the opportunity for the tactical approach against Moldova to really go all out. So I’m excited to see how that plays out. And then the Norway match.

 “Look, obviously, if we go into that match needing to win by a three or four goal margin, well, then you need to sort of you need to play to win, need to attack.

 “But look, I think if all goes according to plan, the Norway match is going to be the match where we will see what Gattuso is capable of. I think it will be effectively a dead rubber, but still an important dead rubber for us for ranking, for coefficient points and also for Gattuso’s football against the strongest team he has played as the Azzurri boss.

 “So that’s the way I think it will play out. And again, how that looks, what formation tactically, I think we’re still unclear as to what Gattuso’s best starting eleven is. What’s the best way to unlock this team? Because I still don’t think that he’s settled on that score, despite a few surprising inclusions and omissions we discussed.”

Finally, Del Monte described how much of a crisis it would be for the culture and people of Italy if the Azzurri were to miss out on a third consecutive World Cup.

“It’s unimaginable to think about missing a third straight World Cup and two is already enough, because when you do the math, two is effectively 12 years, because you’re 2014 to 2026 at least. Three being 16 years. I cannot even begin to comprehend the damage that does to the game. And unfortunately, we’ve already seen here, look, anyone with any Italian heritage knows, but I’m sure any football fan knows around the world, Italians are very passionate about this sport.

 “But there has been a shift. A lot of children here are born and raised with Italian football at the forefront, top league in the world, the national team always doing well. Sure, we won the Euros a few years ago, but those failures to be present at the biggest party in world sport at a World Cup has taken its toll.

 “We are seeing, and especially with the emergence of other sports in Italy, this often gets forgotten or lost when discussing Italian national team and Italian football with the world. We’ve seen an emergence in tennis, we’ve seen even rugby take strides forward with really smart investment in infrastructure and personnel and players. Football has always been the pinnacle in Italy, but it’s sort of plateaued in this last period and it hasn’t risen, the interest hasn’t grown.

 “And obviously that’s happening in the new generation, in the kids coming through, who basically, I always say, effectively an 18-year-old kid would have no World Cup memory, no World Cup memory whatsoever, because in the 2014 World Cup, how old are they? Five, six years of age. So it’s really something which has been, that culture is not the same in this current generation. So we need to be back there for the players, we need to be back there for the sport, we need to be back there for our league.

 “But most importantly, we need to be back there for the fans, we need to be back there for the passion. And Italy needs to be in World Cups, it’s good for the sport, it’s healthy for the competition, and everyone loves to see it. So look, there is a lot riding on these next matches and the pressure falls on Gattuso, and he knows that.

 “That’s why Gattuso already said, if we fail to make this World Cup, I’m leaving Italy, because he knows how important this was. The last two were equally as important, but missing a third would, look, I don’t want to say it would do irreparable damage, but it would be a total disaster.”

Julian Faustini Ι GIFN