Italy faces Norway in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the San Siro. While the Azzurri are expected to win, the chances of them topping their group and securing automatic qualification are slim. They need a massive victory, practically a miracle, to leapfrog Norway. The match takes place on Sunday, November 16th.
Italy's Improbable Task
Italy's form has been strong, winning their last six games with four clean sheets. However, a defeat to Norway earlier in the campaign puts them in a difficult position. They need to beat Norway by a significant margin – nine goals – to overtake them, a feat Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco deems "impossible". Dimarco suggests the team should focus on preparing for the play-offs in March.
Norway's Dominance
Norway's World Cup qualifying campaign has been exceptional. They've won seven out of seven matches, scoring 33 goals and conceding only four. Erling Haaland and his teammates have been in superb form, making them strong contenders.
Team News and Lineups
Italy will be without Sandro Tonali due to the risk of suspension, and Riccardo Calafiori is also out injured. The probable lineups are:
- Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori, Cambiaso, Tonali, Barella, Locatelli, Dimarco, Raspadori, Retegui
- Norway: Nyland, Ryerson, Ajer, Heggem, Wolfe, Bobb, Berge, Berg, Nusa, Haaland, Sorloth
What to Expect
While Italy will aim for a victory to maintain momentum, Norway's strong defense and potent attack make them a formidable opponent. Dimarco acknowledges Norway's strength but believes Italy has improved since their previous encounter. The focus for Italy will be on building confidence and testing strategies for the upcoming play-offs.
Gatusso confirmed that Tonali will not play in order to keep him fit for Newcastle.