Gattuso: Thinking about play-offs three months from now will only exhaust our energy early

6686 Sports News on November 15th In the European Qualifying Round of the World Cup, Italy will face its last opponent, Norway. Before the game, Gattuso accepted an interview with Sky Sports.

How does the team prepare to face Norway?

"This game is a key step on our way forward and is very important for improving the team's level. Norway is strong and there will be 70,000 fans in the stadium tomorrow, which should break the attendance record. This game will let us clearly see where we are currently."

What was the reason for Calafiore's early departure from the team?

"We tried to get Calafiore to participate in training, but he encountered some physical conditions. I admire his professional attitude. He stayed here for a week and might have played, but that would be unfair to him and Arsenal. Mancini and Buongiorno will compete for the starting spot."

How do you evaluate Pio Esposito? Does he need to prove himself through this?

"Pio does not need to accept any 'tests' and there is no pressure. He has performed well during this period and cooperated well with Retegui. He does not have to prove anything, he only needs to be himself. If he gets the opportunity, I believe he can grasp it."

There are still three months until the play-offs. How do you plan to manage the team?

"Thinking about the play-offs now will only exhaust our energy early. In the next three months, we have to find the right way to keep in touch with the players, not just phone calls, maybe having a cup of tea, a cup of coffee, something to eat together where they are... We will try our best to keep everyone in the best competitive condition. I hope that by that day we can face the challenge with the best face."

What do you think about Minister La Russa's remarks that "fans have the right to protest"?

"I respect what he said and have always accepted the boos from fans, but no one should receive death threats. Hearing words like 'Go to work' and 'We will go to Covelciano to find you' (where the Italian national team prepares) shows that things have crossed a line. I don't know if the minister watched the game, I think he didn't."