ROME — Italy’s national football team’s preparation for their crucial World Cup qualifier against Norway on Friday is far from smooth. The team faces mounting pressure after having missed out on the previous two World Cup tournaments, making every match critical.
Francesco Acerbi, the defender tasked with the challenging role of marking Norway’s star forward, Erling Haaland, has declined his invitation to the national team. Acerbi, who recently played a key role in Inter Milan’s defense, announced his decision following Inter’s heavy 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final. In light of these circumstances, coach Luciano Spalletti acknowledges the upcoming qualifier will be anything but straightforward.
Italy trails in their qualifying group after group leader Norway secured six points with victories over Moldova and Israel. The pressure to win the group is immense, as it secures direct qualification for the upcoming World Cup in North America, while the team finishing second faces the unpredictability of playoff matches. Italy’s past failures in the playoff stages led to their absence from the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Erling Haaland, instrumental in Norway’s qualification campaign with goals against Moldova and Israel, recently returned from an ankle injury. Acerbi had notably kept Haaland at bay during previous encounters, including their Champions League matches. However, after Acerbi’s statement expressing feelings of disrespect and exclusion from team plans, Spalletti must seek alternatives for the critical defensive role.
Team dynamics are further complicated by the absence of other key players. Alessandro Buongiorno has left the training camp due to an injury, and Gianluca Mancini of Roma was not included in the squad, leaving Spalletti with limited options. Juventus’s Federico Gatti, AC Milan’s Matteo Gabbia, or Alessandro Bastoni could be potential solutions for the defense. The latter, along with other Inter players Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, and Davide Frattesi, remain integral to the team’s World Cup aspirations.
Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi emphasized that the focus should not solely be on Haaland but rather on Italy’s ability to function as a cohesive unit. Italy’s past performances, such as their late goals during a Nations League loss to Germany, illustrate their potential when playing collectively.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma approaches the Norway fixture with confidence after his Champions League success with PSG. However, the Azzurri must cope without Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli, who left the camp due to injury. Despite the setbacks, Moise Kean stands out with his impressive form, having scored 19 goals for Fiorentina.
Luciano Spalletti and his team are aware of the significance of this match in determining their World Cup journey. “Whether we go to the World Cup or not depends a lot on how we play in Norway,” Spalletti remarked, signaling the high stakes and expectations resting on the team’s shoulders.