Gattuso focuses on team, not fans, ahead of Bosnia clash

ROME: Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is keeping his attention firmly on his players as they prepare to face Bosnia in Zenica on Tuesday, shrugging off the intimidating home crowd.

After beating Northern Ireland at home in the semi-final, Italy are bidding for their first finals appearance since 2014. With adverse weather in Bosnia forcing a change of plans, the team trained in Florence on Monday before traveling.

“It’s an excuse. If the pitch is bad, it’s bad for both teams, the match still has to be played,” Gattuso told reporters. “If we start thinking about the pitch, the stands… no, that’s weak. Honestly, even if it were bad, there’s little we could do. As for the fans, they don’t score goals, that’s never happened to me.”

Gattuso replaced Luciano Spalletti early in the qualification campaign after Italy’s ambitions were already compromised by a defeat to Norway. Since taking charge, he has focused on making the team solid and resilient, even if it means sacrificing flair.

“Tactically, the other night we got it wrong,” he admitted after the Northern Ireland match. “Seven months ago we were not this team. We suffered against opponents, they created chances easily. At the beginning we conceded ridiculous goals. Maybe we didn’t play ultra-offensive football and maybe we were less brilliant, but right now I prefer a team that is solid, that suffers less, even if it means being less pretty.”

A 2006 World Cup winner himself, Gattuso is determined to instill the same desire and competitive edge in his players. “We became champions not because we were the strongest, but because of our competitive edge and our ability to suffer,” he said.

He added, “People said there was no pride in this team, that nobody cared, but I see it every day, and I sincerely hope, not for myself, but for these lads, that we reach this objective. I’m proud of them, I’m happy with them, even if things go badly. I hope they don’t.”

Even when asked about potential setbacks, Gattuso kept his focus on his team: “This isn’t the right moment to talk about it. It would be a disappointment, a heavy blow. I would have to take responsibility because I am the coach, but we’ll talk about that afterwards. My thoughts, I keep to myself.”

For Gattuso, the team’s preparation, unity, and focus matter far more than the noise from the stands.