**Gattuso Confirms Frattesi to Start vs. Norway in World Cup Qualifier: Full Press Conference Round-Up**
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed that Davide Frattesi will be in the starting lineup against Norway in Sunday’s crucial World Cup qualifier. The Azzurri are facing a daunting challenge: only a 9-0 (or equivalent) victory can send them directly to the tournament. Otherwise, they’ll have to navigate a play-off campaign in the new year. Norway, led by the formidable Erling Haaland, enter the match with a 100% win record in qualifying.
Below, we break down all of Gattuso’s key statements from his pre-match press conference at Coverciano.
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### Team News: Tonali and Calafiori Out; Frattesi Starts
Sandro Tonali and Riccardo Calafiori will not feature against Norway. Tonali, though not injured, is carrying a booking and is at risk of suspension for the play-offs. Gattuso explained:
> “Calafiori’s out, he was trying yesterday. Tonali is also out, he doesn’t have any physical issues, but we won’t risk him given his booking. He’ll train today and he will be at the stadium tomorrow, as well as Calafiori. Both will attend the match.”
Gattuso confirmed that Davide Frattesi will start, citing his unique characteristics.
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### Gattuso Responds to Criticism
Gattuso also addressed comments from Italian politician Ignazio La Russa, who criticized Gattuso’s condemnation of boos and offensive chants during the 2-0 win over Moldova:
> “I respect what La Russa said, he wasn’t at the stadium and he didn’t even watch it on TV, because you could hear them wishing death to others through the TV as well. These were not boos. I’ve always accepted those, but this was much more serious.”
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### Preparing for the Play-Offs
With direct qualification all but out of reach, Gattuso admitted that the team is already planning for the play-offs:
> “Our future is to try and get to the World Cup. We’re talking about how to stay close to our players. We’re organizing how to get together in February, to have 48 hours together, to go and visit them. We’re arranging that, and to go and watch all the games using all of our resources.”
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### Tactical Approach vs. Norway
When asked what to expect from Italy against Norway, Gattuso emphasized the need for tactical discipline:
> “We have to be very intelligent and not get caught up in the emotions. Tomorrow’s game is one that will help us understand what level we’re at, and where the bar is. But we need to be intelligent, too. We can’t take any sendings off; we can’t have any foolishness.”
He praised Norway’s all-around game:
> “They have four players up front who take advantage of every mistake, and when they go into a defensive block, it’s difficult to put them in any sort of danger. Right now, Norway are a 360° team.”
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### On Potential Serie A Match Postponements
There was a question about the possibility of postponing Serie A matches in March to help Italy’s World Cup preparations:
> “There’s not a lot we can do about it. The (FIGC) President works on these sorts of things. Miracles can’t be pulled off by one single person. In our opinion, it will be very difficult to move them. We hope they will give us one or two windows to see our players.”
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### Selection Dilemmas: Mancini, Buongiorno, and Frattesi
Gattuso was asked if Gianluca Mancini and Frattesi, both also carrying bookings, might be rested:
> “Mancini took a yellow and gritted his teeth. We’ll see, either him or Buongiorno (will play). Frattesi will play tomorrow. He has completely different characteristics and will start from the first minute.”
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### Pio Esposito: No Pressure to Prove Himself
Regarding young striker Pio Esposito, Gattuso insisted:
> “He doesn’t have to prove anything, that’s not his game. Pio has to be Pio, he has to fight and play well. He has to tie his game together, be able to score. We’re talking about a player who is already very mature given his age… He doesn’t have to prove anything tomorrow; he has to be Pio.”
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### Norway’s Strengths and Italy’s Task
Asked why Norway top the group, Gattuso was full of praise:
> “I congratulate Norway. They’ve shown great quality and mentality. Right now, they’re one of those national teams you have to play an incredible game against in order to beat them. Their line is unlikely to break. They’re compact. They make you believe that you’re dominating, and then they hurt you with their attacking players and on set-pieces.”
As for Italy’s slim chances, he was realistic:
> “A 9-0 is unthinkable. Never say never in football, but we have to look at reality. We’re preparing the game the same as any other, we’ll play with pride and knowing that we’re up against a team that put us in a lot of difficulty six months ago.”
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### On Qualification Rules and Haaland
A reporter pointed out that a 4-0 win would have secured direct qualification under head-to-head rules. Gattuso replied:
> “I don’t want to talk about it anymore because they’ve been telling me that I’m getting massacred in South America at the minute. We live in a world where we can’t say anything anymore.”
He also shared his thoughts on Erling Haaland:
> “There are strikers, and then there are strikers. Given what he does, yes. He’s unique: he has strength, he has the shot, and he has incredible coordination. He’s an incredibly flexible player and has impressive speed. He’s collecting record after record, he’s a machine. He plays all the time. I’m not wishing him ill, but he’s never had any serious injuries, and that’s important.”
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### Unity and Looking Ahead
Gattuso closed with reflections on his Italy tenure so far:
> “There haven’t been many difficulties, there’s great unity here. From the grounds staff, to Buffon, I thank them for everything they do for me. The joy comes with winning, seeing the team being happy and seeing the enthusiasm in the dressing room. We have to carry on like that.”
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Italy face Norway on Sunday in what is sure to be a dramatic World Cup qualifier. While the odds are long, Gattuso’s men will be aiming for pride, unity, and one last shot at direct qualification.
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*Stay tuned for post-match reactions and further updates on Italy’s World Cup journey.*
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/italy-vs-norway-every-word-151000207.html