Sacchi: Italy ‘can’t be afraid of Norway, problem is not Haaland’

Arrigo Sacchi during the Women Supercup match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Arrigo Sacchi insists Italy ‘can’t be afraid’ of Norway and Erling Haaland, but admits ‘the problem is us.’

The Azzurri make their 2026 World Cup qualifiers debut on June 6, visiting Norway in Oslo.

Haaland’s national team has already collected six points in the opening two games. Even Luciano Spalletti said the game in Norway will say a lot about the Nazionale’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, despite being just the first qualifying match for the team.

Sacchi: Italy can’t be afraid of Norway

“We are Italy and we can’t be afraid of Norway. If we were, then we might as well stay home,” Sacchi told Gazzetta.

“If they have one good player, we must have 11. Understand? The problem isn’t Haaland, the problem is us. We need to play as a team, we need to start seeing football as an expression of the collective, not of individuals.”

Italy have a lack of options in defence as Alessandro Buongiorno and Riccardo Calafiori are injured, while Francesco Acerbi has refused to play under Spalletti.

“Fear is a synonym of weakness, in sport and in life. It’s right to respect our opponents, but never fear them,” Sacchi argued.

“Norway is a good national team, but we are Italy! We’ve won the World Cup four times, and history matters.”

History, however, doesn’t go onto the pitch, the Gazzetta reporter argued.

“It’s not true. If properly educated, players know how to represent one of the most successful national teams on the planet, and that should reflect on the pitch,” Sacchi replied.

Sacchi reveals what Italian football lacks

“Such awareness could provide a crucial boost to our self-confidence.

“What Italian football is missing is a clear identity and, as a result, a recognisable playing style in the national team. Spalletti is excellent and is pulling off miracles. But what can he create when some players are accustomed to a back four, others play in midfield without pressing, and others only know how to play Catenaccio and counterattack?

“Believe me, the role of the national team coach is incredibly difficult, and I’m saying that as somebody who experienced it firsthand. I built around the Milan core, but what can Spalletti rely on when most clubs are full of foreign players?”

The Azzurri’s second World Cup qualifying match will be against Moldova at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia on June 9.

Italy have been put into Group I after facing a Nations League exit in the quarter-finals against Germany.