The Azzurri coach on the eve of the Group I matchday nine fixture: “I’m not thinking about the playoffs. My mind is only on tomorrow’s game, I’m not looking any further ahead.”

Rino Gattuso isn’t giving anything away and doesn’t want anything other than a win in Moldova. Even if Norway beats Estonia, who play tomorrow at 6 p.m., it could render our result meaningless. “I remember when we played here in Moldova with Lippi,” said Rino, “and it wasn’t easy, just as it won’t be tomorrow. There were no easy games before, and there aren’t any now. You need to have great respect because if you don’t respect your opponents, it’s tough. Anyone who has Norway’s 11-1 win against Moldova in their head is wrong. Moldova is not the same team that lost 11-1… If that game were replayed 10 times, it’s unlikely that result would be repeated. We sweated and struggled in Reggio Emilia: tomorrow we need commitment and respect for our opponents to take home the three points. I’ll say it again to be clear: Moldova can cause us difficulties and we’ll have to work hard and respect our opponents. They have a team with strengths and weaknesses: I know Ionita and what he has done in Italy. We have prepared for the game based on Moldova and not on individuals.”

Gattuso then spoke about the lineup: “I confirm that there will be changes, and I’m making them without fear because I have faith in my boys: they all deserve an evening like tomorrow. I want to thank the group because I thought certain things might happen, but instead there was a great sense of belonging at Coverciano. We know how it works and that there are many games at this time of year in which individuals have a lot of playing time… Instead, we are continuing on the right path. Barella, for example, could have asked me to come to Milanello, but instead he is here with us. Everyone wants to be here with their teammates and grow as a group, staying together. It’s not a given. Gabbia? He won’t start, but the goal is to give him playing time too. In goal? Space for Vicario and not for Donnarumma. In attack, however, there will be Scamacca and Raspadori: they will be the two to start, but they mustn’t overdo it because we know Scamacca’s characteristics and ballistics. We know what he can give us: he needs to stay calm and play a serious game. Dimarco? The opinion has spread that he can only play 60-65 minutes. He has done his part to shake off this label and has been putting in some important performances for quite some time now. Tomorrow, I repeat, there will be many changes and Dimarco is one of those who will rest. It’s right to give these guys a rest because I see them working hard, and it’s right to give everyone a chance. I’m not giving anything away to those who will play. We’ll put in a great performance; I’m convinced of the abilities of everyone here. Whoever takes the field will do so because they deserve it, not to appease anyone.

Pride—  The coach then praised Sinner: “Sinner fills me with pride, but so does Musetti: yesterday we were on the sofa with my staff and we stayed up until midnight watching Musetti. Sport is exciting when someone represents our flag. For me, however, it is a source of pride to see the 6-7 million people who watch Italy every match: it’s a statistic I ask for. We want to make people fall in love again. That attachment to the jersey and that desire must never be lacking: I feel it from the people when I go around the stadiums, and our players must have it too. We all want to see Italy at the World Cup. The playoffs? To be honest, my mind is on tomorrow’s game and I’m not looking any further ahead. I want to see growth, how they train, how well they work together. I expect another important performance.”