Luciano Spalletti confident in Italy’s quest for World Cup return

Luciano Spalletti confident in Italy’s quest for World Cup return

The Straits Times - Sports·2025-06-02 19:00

Luciano Spalletti confident in Italy’s quest for World Cup return

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti during the Nations League quarter final against Germany on March 20. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Jun 02, 2025, 04:52 PM

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ROME – Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is framing the June 6 clash against Norway as a decisive moment in their 2026 World Cup qualification and says his side are fully equipped to deliver.

Spalletti’s side begin their qualifying campaign in Group I in Oslo. The hosts got off to a flying start with six points from two matches and nine goals scored.

Four-time World Cup champions Italy have failed to reach the World Cup Finals since 2014, and are only now beginning their qualifiers after competing in the Nations League quarter-finals in March, where they lost to Germany.

“Let’s be clear: in Norway, everything is on the line when it comes to whether or not we’ll qualify for the World Cup. We have a duty to fulfil this task that’s been entrusted to us. We need to qualify because it’s absolutely crucial for us,” Spalletti told reporters.

“As for us, we have everything we need to play our game. We have all the potential for a great match, and that’s exactly what we intend to put into practice.”

However, things have not gone swimmingly for Spalletti.

Inter Milan’s veteran defender Francesco Acerbi withdrew from the squad on June 1, the day after his club’s humbling defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, citing a lack of respect from Spalletti.

Acerbi has not played for Italy since November 2023, but after his recent exploits with Inter – where he scored an equaliser in their semi-final with Barcelona – Spalletti named him in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 37-year-old’s announcement comes immediately following Inter’s 5-0 loss in Munich on May 31, but Acerbi, who spoke with Spalletti on June 1, said this had nothing to do with his decision.

“I felt that, in light of recent events, the conditions to continue this path peacefully do not exist today,” Acerbi said in a social media post.

“I don’t seek alibis or favours, I demand respect. And if this respect is lacking on the part of those who should lead a group, then I prefer to step aside. I’ve always given everything, but I don’t stay where I’m no longer really wanted and it’s clear that I’m not part of the manager’s project. ”

Acerbi did not clarify what this lack of respect referred to. Earlier, Spalletti spoke about the player’s decision at a press conference on June 1, before Acerbi’s statement.

“For me, Acerbi has value , we knew he had some physical problems, he had been operated on, I had given space at the time to other defenders too ,” the coach said.

In March, after the defeat by Germany, when Spalletti was asked by a reporter if he would consider calling up Acerbi, he said “Do you know how old Acerbi is?”

Meanwhile, Norway coach Stale Solbakken optimistic ahead of the clash at Ullevaal Stadion.

“I’m not sure they’re the favourites. For me, it’s more of a 50–50 match on our home ground,” he said. “The most important thing for us is that we are ourselves.” REUTERS

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