In World Cup history, only Brazil has won more than Italy. With four championships, Azzurri is one of the most successful teams of the tournament.
However, that aura has become distant. It has been 20 years since Italy last lifted the championship trophy, and more sadly, they have even been absent from both recent World Cups. A generation of fans have grown up without ever seeing their national team participate in the biggest stage on the planet.
Pressure is therefore no longer just about achievements, but about responsibility to the future. Manuel Locatelli admitted this when emphasizing the obligations of the players to the fans, especially the young generation.
But words need to be proven by actions. The 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland has brought Italy to the play-off final, where they will face Bosnia Herzegovina in a do-or-die match.
Just one more victory, the World Cup door will open. But if they fail, it will not only be another missed opportunity, but also a strong blow to the already shaken belief of Italian football.
The question is not whether Italy has motivation or not. The question is whether they have enough bravery to turn pressure into strength, or will continue to be weighed down by the past.
The heavy defeats against Norway, especially the 1-4 defeat at San Siro, made many people question Italy's progress. Even coach Gennaro Gattuso admitted that his team collapsed when the opponent increased pressure, with Erling Haaland as the focus.
However, looking broader, Azzurri is not completely stagnant. Two confrontations with Israel show a clear change. From a chaotic 5-4 victory at Debrecen with a series of mistakes, Italy has become more solid when winning 3-0 in the second leg. That is a sign of a team gradually finding balance again.
The biggest difference compared to Luciano Spalletti's time is not in tactics, but in spirit. Sandro Tonali admits that the atmosphere in the national team has been more positive since Gattuso took over.
That is not difficult to understand. Gattuso brings energy, fire and fighting spirit - factors that were once the identity of Italian football. Moise Kean also emphasized this when saying that the coach always motivates the whole team to never give up. However, spirit alone is not enough.
The biggest question remains: Can Italy turn this improvement into real strength when facing top teams in the world? Or will they still reveal their limits whenever put under great pressure? The upcoming play-off match will be the clearest answer.
Anyone who does football lives for moments like this. Personally, I always clearly feel the tension before the match, and that is the best thing. If that feeling is no longer there, it is best to retire or leave coaching work.
We understand the importance of the match, especially when Italy has been absent from the last two World Cups. However, all energy needs to be devoted to the performance on the field, not consumed before the match" - Gattuso shared.
The match between Bosnia Herzegovina and Italy took place at 1:45 a.m. on April 1 (Vietnam time).
