Gennaro Gattuso insists his full focus remains on Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova and not the likelihood of his team being forced into a play-off in March.
The Azzurri travel to Stadionul Zimbru on Thursday, having already guaranteed they will not finish lower than second in Group I after taking 15 points from their six games.
Italy could still overhaul Norway at the summit, but they would need their group rivals to lose both of their remaining games, the last of which comes against Italy this Sunday.
Norway, who are led by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, have a superior goal difference to Italy (+26 to +10) and are the top scorers in the UEFA section of qualifying.
And despite Italy winning all six of their previous meetings against Moldova by an aggregate score of 17-2, Gattuso says they cannot afford to take their eye off the ball, in case Norway slip up versus Estonia.
“I am honest, my mind is on tomorrow’s game and not beyond that. I want to see improvement, how the players train and work together,” Gattuso said.
“In my view, just having this get-together was not an easy task. We’ve already qualified for the play-offs, so there are small aches and pains.
“I have to thank the likes of [Nicolo] Barella, [Riccardo] Calafiori and [Alessandro] Bastoni for being here, as it was by no means to be taken for granted.
“I congratulate the lads for their professionalism and hunger, which they show every day.”
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When the sides met in June, Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso got the goals in a 2-0 victory for Italy, which was Luciano Spalletti’s last game in charge.
“There is absolutely nothing easy about any games. Don’t forget the game in Reggio Emilia four months ago,” warned Gattuso.
“Many people have in their minds the fact that Norway beat Moldova 11-1, but these are not players who just ran away from home and found themselves on a pitch by accident.
“They have their own difficulties to deal with, but tomorrow will not be a walk in the park.”
Ultimately, a 3-0 defeat to Norway in their opening qualifying match appears to have done the damage for Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups.
But when asked if he would change anything about Italy’s qualifying campaign, Gattuso cited the format of the groups that FIFA and UEFA need to improve.
“There are no regrets. Winning helps us to win, so that is up to us now,” Gattuso added.
“We do have a few issues over the criteria, because if we look at South America, where six out of 10 teams go directly to the World Cup and the seventh heads into a play-off with a team from Oceania, that does give you regrets.
“That is the disappointment, the system needs to change in Europe.”