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Ivan Gennaro Gattuso talks about his first months on the bench of the Italian national team and does so in a long interview for the Blues' official television channel, "Vivo Azzurro", where he also mentions the "playoff" phase where Italy will face Northern Ireland.
' When I received the offer to become the coach of Italy, I immediately said 'yes', without studying the pros and cons of this choice - said Gattuso - I accepted and I do not regret it, I am proud to represent my country. I feel privileged, a very lucky man. I have the responsibility to lead the Italian National Team and I think that millions of people would like to be in my country. I have a lot of responsibilities. But I also had responsibilities when I was only 12 years old; when I went to Perugia, I was in a room and my thought was that I could not return home, otherwise I would have failed. I have been living with pressures for a lifetime, I hope to give my best and, together with the boys, to give joy to the whole of Italy '
Six matches, 5 wins and only 1 loss; this is the balance of Gattuso's first 6 months on the bench of the 4-time world champion team with the technician who took over a seriously injured team after the defeat in Oslo with Norway, but who lifted it up by restoring its identity and strong character.
' I knew I was taking on a big responsibility and that it wasn't easy, but we have to say that in the 6 games we played, apart from the last challenge where we made a mistake in the second half, the players gave everything - continued Gattuso - the team has always been ready. I saw very positive behavior, a positive mentality and a strong sense of belonging. I found a group of players who are looking to give everything they have, I think this is perceived
Now the focus is all on the playoff phase in March and the semi-final match with Northern Ireland.
' We must not make the same mistake as 4 years ago with North Macedonia-said Gattuso-Modern football says that there are no easy matches anymore, that any opponent can put you in difficulty. The important thing is to react, to know how to react, not to lose the fight if something negative happens and to have continuity for the 90 minutes. In 3 months we will play for something important, the whole nation is waiting for us. We need calm, we will have to be with the right mentality, with love for the country we represent and for this jersey. We must be ready for what awaits us .'
For Gattuso, the World Cup, which Italy has been missing since 2014, is an obsession.
" Qualifying for the World Cup is an obsession, we have to return to where we have been for many years, even as protagonists," said Gattuso. "We have to want it at all costs, not start seeing the ghosts of the past at the first difficulty ."
However, for Gattuso it is still too early to think about Northern Ireland and it is better to focus on the present at this moment.
' I have to live the day-said the Italy coach-I am no longer the Gattuso of once upon a time, the one who had a goal and prepared only for it. Today I am a different person, I do a completely different job. I am the first to transmit calm, I have to make as few mistakes as possible and make the right choices. If I were thinking now about the match in March, I would not go there sober. The clarity and energy today must be in what we will see, in what our football proposes and the choices we have to make. When we go to Coverciano in those 10 days we will dedicate ourselves to preparing for the match as best as possible .'
From now until March, Gattuso and his assistants will follow with maximum attention all the players who can be recruited.
I will live these 3 months working. Watching the matches and talking to the boys - said Gattuso - I often talk to them, not just with the veterans. I like to communicate, I am in contact with them .
And while staying with the footballers, Gattuso did not forget to appreciate their strength and willingness to sacrifice.
' We have strong players, although it is a fact that in our championship there are few Italian players,' said Gattuso, 'in these months I have greatly appreciated the sacrifices made by the boys, there were those who were not feeling well, but who stayed the whole time. In my career I have come to Coverciano many times on crutches. It is right, a group is not created with just 3-4 days spent together .'
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