World Cup Qualifiers: It’s useless to rely on Gattuso alone, Haaland bursts Italy’s “revival” bubble

Harland punctured Italy's "revival" bubble

They suffered a 1-4 defeat to Norway at San Siro at home. Italy lost far more than just one World Cup qualifying match - they personally shattered their illusions about "returning to the top".

This defeat was not an accidental collapse, but a resounding slap in the face that woke up the Azzurri who were intoxicated in "spiritual football" and "rebuilding hope." Haaland and his Norwegian team used four goals to tell Italy: There are no shortcuts on the road to the 2026 World Cup, and there is no room for self-deception.

Some losses are due to inferior skills, but this defeat is like a mirror, reflecting the deep crisis of Italian football. The problem is not the score, nor is it just Haaland's personal brilliance with two goals, but the fact that the "new Italy" that had high hopes turned out to be so unable to withstand the test.

Before the game, there was a sense of "cautious optimism" in Italy: Gattuso brought passion, the team regained its energy, and the fans regained hope. Everyone believes that even if it is not the strongest, at least it is in the right direction. But the football world never tolerates "efforts". Real strength relies on hard power, decisiveness at critical moments, and superstars who can change the situation of the battle.

And Norway has exactly these. They don't play fancy football, but they play efficiently, calmly and with great execution. Especially when Haaland started, Italy's defense collapsed instantly like paper. He is not only a goal-scoring machine, but also the "emotional switch" of the entire game - his presence makes opponents despair and silences the home court.

Haaland's outbreak hit Italy's weakness hard: you can run for 90 minutes and fight until the last second, but if no one in the team can make the final decision in a desperate situation, no matter how high your fighting spirit is, it will be hard to beat the cold reality.

This is not to say that Italy is weak, but that they are not ready:

are not ready to face efficient opponents who are good at seizing opportunities;

are not ready to truly shoulder the pressure in the play-offs in March next year;

are not ready to return to the World Cup as a world-class team.

Gattuso has indeed ignited the team's blood, but a national team cannot live on blood alone. It requires a clear tactical system, a stable personnel structure, a distinctive style label, and most importantly - a leader who can stand up when the team is lost. Unfortunately, what Italy currently lacks is this kind of "dwelling needle".

During the game, Italy once dominated the ball, was active, and even played decently. But once Norway speeds up and Haaland shows off his power, the gap immediately becomes apparent. This is not a technical or tactical backwardness, but a psychological fragility - the lack of confidence in "big scenes" in high-pressure confrontations.

The most intriguing scene happened after the final whistle: when Haaland left the field, he actually won applause from the San Siro home fans. This is not a tribute to the enemy, but an acknowledgment of reality. When excellence is within reach, there is no point in denying it. That applause was a silent lament for Italy's own shortcomings.

Now, Italy has no way out. If we want to truly revive, we must face three questions:

Does over-reliance on mental attributes cover up talent gaps?

Is the so-called "reconstruction" just a short-lived comeback after the coaching change?

How to build sustainable competitiveness in an era without top stars?