The Italy coach lashes out at the fans in Chisinau who criticized the team before the late goals: “If you’re still stuck on the 11-1 loss to Norway, that’s not my problem; I saw an Italy team that played”

“What I heard today is a disgrace; I won’t accept it.” After the hard-fought 0-2 loss in Chisinau against Moldova—which, combined with Norway’s victory over Estonia, will force Italy to play in the playoffs to qualify for the World Cup—Italy’s head coach Rino Gattuso lashes out at the Italian ultras, who, in the 73rd minute, had begun booing the team while the score was still 0-0. “I saw an Italy team that played, and they never even took a shot on goal: there are no easy games. If you’re still fixated on the 11-1 (Norway’s win over Moldova), that’s not my problem. I’m very satisfied; let’s move forward,” Gattuso began on Rai. “Rather, the fans’ booing is a disgrace; I’m sorry for what I heard today. This isn’t the time to tell the players to go to work: we need to stay united because the team is battling on the field despite the difficulties, and I won’t accept hearing 500 fans booing away from home.”

The national team coach then analyzed the impact of the two substitute strikers, Retegui and Pio Esposito, following the struggles shown by Scamacca and Raspadori: “Putting 11 new players in from the start today, I thought we might even lose: when you make that many changes… Instead, hats off,” he compliments his players. Gattuso concludes with a touch of controversy regarding the qualification format. “Italy’s record of six wins? You’ll have to ask whoever sets the groups and the rules,” he quips. “In 1990 and 1994 there were two African teams; now there are eight… It’s not a complaint, but in our day, the best runner-up went straight to the World Cup. The challenges are there, and we know it well.”