Italy's crucial World Cup qualifier leaves defense in question due to Acerbi's unwillingness to take on the task of guarding Haaland.
Spicey Reboot:
Italy's World Cup dreams hang in the balance following a demoralizing 5-0 Champions League final drubbing by Paris Saint-Germain. The losing streak, compounded by the absence of key defender Francesco Acerbi, is causing a stir in the Italian camp ahead of their qualifier against Norway.
Acerbi, who had successfully kept Erling Haaland scoreless in both their previous encounters, decided to turn down his national team call-up, citing a feeling of disrespect. With Alessandro Buongiorno out due to injury and Roma's Gianluca Mancini being overlooked, Coach Luciano Spalletti is left scrambling to find a replacement.
The contest presents a significant challenge, especially since Norway, already leading the group, boasts a plus-seven goal differential after victories against Moldova and Israel. Rome beckons for the upstart Azzurri, who missed out on the last two World Cups, with victory being the sole means of securing direct qualification to the North American tournament next year.
Haaland, with an impressive 40 goals in 41 matches for Norway, will undoubtedly pose a formidable threat. However, Arrigo Sacchi, a former Italy coach, asserts that the problem isn't Haaland; it's the Azzurri's collective effort. Teamwork will be key if Italy hopes to counter Norway's formidable striker.
Potential candidates to fill the gap left by Acerbi include Alessandro Bastoni from Inter Milan, Giorgio Chiellini (despite reduced involvement in recent international matches), and Luca Ranieri, freshly called up from Fiorentina. Spalletti's strategy and final player selection will likely be influenced by the team's overall tactics and his coaching decisions.
Italy's World Cup hopes could hinge on the Norway match. With a squad missing key players like Acerbi and Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli, the team will need to display cohesion and resilience to overcome this challenge. Moise Kean, coming off a stellar season with 19 goals for Fiorentina, offers a glimmer of hope.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
In Toronto's popular sports news outlets, discussions about Italy's World Cup qualifier against Norway are heating up due to the absence of key defenders like Francesco Acerbi. The Italian football team, aiming to secure direct qualification for the North American tournament next year, is struggling to find a replacement for Acerbi, with potential candidates including Alessandro Bastoni, Giorgio Chiellini, and Luca Ranieri. These developments in Italian football could significantly impact their World Cup prospects.
