"It was a totally different match in the first half, we never let them out of their own half. We've got to do that for 95 minutes rather than 45, that is for sure. It's a painful defeat, but we've got to lift our heads up, because it is all at stake in March with those two games. We must rediscover our confidence and self-belief, and I am sure that we will do it."
"A chance can happen against a great side like Norway, but it is not possible that you just fall apart, totally lose confidence, totally lose control of the game. That is not acceptable. We certainly need to improve in that, listen to the coach, keep working, and when we concede a goal, we've got to keep our heads in the game."
Italy suffered a 4-1 defeat to Norway at San Siro, eliminating their slim chance of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup and forcing a play-off route. Italy took an early lead but collapsed in the second half as Antonio Nusa equalised and Erling Haaland scored twice within 90 seconds, with Jorgen Strand Larsen completing the comeback. Gianluigi Donnarumma urged the team to maintain confidence, lamented the loss of control after half-time and stressed the need to perform for the full 95 minutes. Coach Gattuso described the side as fragile, and players face questions ahead of March fixtures. Italy missed the last two World Cups after play-off defeats.
#world-cup-qualification #italy-national-team #norway-vs-italy #gianluigi-donnarumma #erling-haaland
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