Serie A clubs and coaches don’t care about Italy national team, newspaper says
Francesco Pio Esposito nets a goal for Italy against Norway in the 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)
There won’t be an Italy training camp held in February, a mere month before a World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland. This has led Corriere della Sera to assert that Serie A teams, coaches, and even Italian television networks have little concern for the Azzurri. The report indicates that Italy’s coach Gennaro Gattuso will have merely two days for preparation ahead of the World Cup play-off semifinal in March 2026, as the FIGC and Lega Serie A failed to come to an agreement about rescheduling some domestic matches during the first week of February, which would have provided the Azzurri with an additional two days of practice that month.
Italy national team ‘not a primary asset of our football system’
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy gestures during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025, in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
The update was accompanied by a brief statement from journalist Alessandro Bocci.
“The training camp is off, but the more pressing question is different,” the journalist noted.
“Who genuinely cares about the welfare of Italy, which cannot afford to miss out on a third consecutive World Cup? The national team is treated like an afterthought, not a key element of our football structure.
‘Everyone looks after their own little patch’
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, stands during the national anthems before the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025, in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“In times of financial difficulties and scheduling issues, everyone focuses on their own interests. The clubs, their managers, and even the broadcasting networks are protective of the slots for which they have paid significantly. FIFA and UEFA have packed the schedule, placing strain on the system. We only pay attention to Italy when they underperform or miss objectives. If no one takes accountability for the situation, it will only deteriorate from here.” Italy will face Northern Ireland at home in the World Cup play-off semifinal on March 26, with a possible Final away against the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
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Published: 2026-01-11 11:11:00
source: football-italia.net
