Luciano Spalletti has announced that he will discuss with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina the possibility of continuing in his role as head coach for Italy following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Norway. “I take responsibility. I also need to initiate changes,” he stated.
This unfortunate result marks a terrible beginning to Italy’s 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, with the team trailing 3-0 by halftime due to goals from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa, and Erling Haaland. This match resonated painfully with their EURO 2024 elimination against Switzerland, where they showed little response when behind.
In his press conference, Spalletti emphasized, “We need to evaluate what transpired tonight. Our determination was lacking; we were somewhat passive. On the first goal, we lost possession due to a cross-field pass when there were better options available.”
Concerns for Spalletti’s Future with Italy
During a Sky Sport Italia interview, Spalletti hinted at discussing his future with Gravina, reiterating this during the press conference. “We need to inject more energy as individuals; otherwise, something must change.” He added, “I regard this squad as strong, the best I have today, and I intend to protect these players, despite needing to encourage those not performing at their peak.”
Spalletti expressed frustration when questioned if he felt isolated by the media and FIGC, particularly with several player withdrawals before the match. “What drives me up the wall is the notion that people think they need to rescue me because I am incapable alone,” he responded. He reinforced his responsibility as the team’s coach for their performance on the pitch.
Italy Risks Missing Another World Cup
Spalletti remarked that after this setback, Italy may need to pursue a qualifying playoff for the World Cup, especially as Norway continues its perfect record in this qualifying campaign. He acknowledged, “We need to dig deep to correct our mistakes and keep first place attainable.” His next challenge will be against Moldova, where he plans to adjust the lineup to include fresh legs and different qualities.
Reflecting on the match, Spalletti pointed to the necessity of building character in his players. “Fatigue at the season’s end could explain some performance issues, but resilience is equally essential. I noticed this in Diego Coppola, who despite a mistake, remained engaged in the game.” He concluded that the team must learn from their current challenges and demonstrate a refusal to accept defeat.
