The coach also spoke about Chiesa from the national team’s training camp: “He wasn’t called up because he’s not 100%.”

“I called Cannavaro and said: what the f… have you got, you put on your gel and perfume and go to the World Cup while I’m here in the trenches!” Rino Gattuso’s naive joke about his friend, who has just been hired as coach of Uzbekistan, drew laughter and applause from the auditorium in Coverciano, filled with representatives of the Federation’s sponsor companies. But it is the only moment of hilarity in a very serious, polite conference, with particular reference to the atmosphere that will accompany the national team’s second match against Israel: “I would have preferred to face such an important evening for qualification in a different atmosphere. In Bergamo there was enthusiasm, but in Udine the atmosphere will be difficult. There will be 5,000 people inside the stadium and 10,000 outside. I understand that, because it breaks my heart to see so many innocent people and so many children dying. But we have to take to the field because it is our duty… We cannot lose by default. I hope the boys manage not to let themselves be influenced. And that they focus on the goal.”

The reasonable goal is to reach the playoffs, provided Israel doesn’t stop Norway: “And we have to earn it. Everything is still up for grabs. I’m comforted because the team is in better physical shape than a month ago. But we have to stay focused, sense the danger, and approach our commitments with a better attitude than we had in September. Many things have been done well, but there is also a lot to correct. We will certainly play the game in Estonia in one way and the game in Udine in another.“ Gattuso is forced to change, having lost Zaccagni and, above all, Politano. And he does not rule out switching to a three-man defense, ”which I don’t like, it’s true. But right now, I have to put my ego aside and think about the solution that can help the team. I have certainly brought in people who will help us.“ Such as debutant Cambiaghi, who for the coach is an alternative to Raspadori on the wing, or Spinazzola, who returns to the Azzurri squad after more than two years: ”I have to thank Leonardo. From experience, I can say that it is difficult at 32 to accept being called up to the national team just because another player has been injured. Seeing him smiling and always determined enriches us, even from a tactical point of view.“ The certainty is the double striker, ”because it would be crazy to change something that works. I expect Kean in particular to lead his teammates, because he has the quality to do so.”

The absentee—  No luck yet for Federico Chiesa. Gattuso explains his absence very clearly: “We talk to Federico every two weeks or so. He told me he doesn’t feel 100% yet, and we have to respect that. He’ll play for the national team when he’s back to his best.” In the meantime, the coach is scouring the league, or rather leagues, in search of fresh talent. Cambiaghi, Nicolussi Caviglia, and Piccoli are the new faces, but the future could also involve Ahanor, a 17-year-old Nigerian from Atalanta born in Aversa, and Tresoldi, a 2004 striker who follows in his father’s footsteps, playing for Bruges and the German Under-21 team but who can be naturalized: “We’ll talk about it. With Gigi (Buffon, ed.) and with the president. We’re working on it, they’re interesting players. As for the others, I called those who I thought deserved it. I make the Federation spend a lot of money to send people to watch the games, this is the result of a lot of work.“ A job he is passionate about: ”I feel the pressure and the responsibility. But I like being the coach of Italy. I thought I would get bored without the daily routine of the pitch, but instead I don’t have time for it. I hope to maintain this enthusiasm for a long time…“ He concludes by talking about Milan-Como, which will be played in Perth. Gattuso responds like a man of the world: ”I don’t think it’s a negative development, quite the contrary. And I understand the clubs, which, faced with very lucrative financial offers, decide to seize the opportunity. In general, certain operations can be good for our football.”