{"id":281665,"date":"2025-11-14T02:39:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T02:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/281665\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T02:39:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T02:39:13","slug":"it-would-mean-a-lot-for-italy-to-beat-norway-after-painful-3-0-wound","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/281665\/","title":{"rendered":"‘It would mean a lot for Italy to beat Norway’ after painful 3-0 wound"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Sandro<\/p>\n

Sandro Tonali plays for Italy against Moldova in a 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Sandro Tonali confessed \u2018it would mean a lot\u2019 for Italy to beat Norway on Sunday, even if they can\u2019t secure direct World Cup qualification, and is \u2018emotional\u2019 about his AC Milan return.<\/p>\n

The Azzurri knew before taking to the field in Moldova that the result was largely futile, as Norway had beaten Estonia 4-1 and with a far superior goal difference were going to top the group.<\/p>\n

Perhaps this affected the attitude of the Italy players, who lost enthusiasm as the game wore on with wasted early chances.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until the 88th minute that Gianluca Mancini\u2019s diving header found the breakthrough, followed by Francesco Pio Esposito nodding in during stoppages for the 2-0 result.<\/a><\/p>\n

Tonali saw difficult Italy circumstances\"SandroSandro Tonali plays for Italy in Moldova during the 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt wasn\u2019t easy, but this is modern football. We also knew that Norway had won, so it was a bit of a strange atmosphere,\u201d Tonali told Sky Sport Italia.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a lot of changes too and that made it rather difficult to concentrate fully, but we got the three points and that\u2019s what we needed right now, to keep winning. We played a little less well than before, but we have to look at the big picture and the overall progress.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easy to judge from the outside, but you have to experience it and know that at the end of the day the result counted for us more than for World Cup qualification.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AndreaAndrea Cambiaso plays for Italy against Moldova in a 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)<\/p>\n

It might be impossible to overturn the goal difference and take top spot, but Italy would still relish beating Norway on Sunday and finishing level on points, having been humiliated 3-0 back in June under previous coach Luciano Spalletti.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt would mean a lot to us, because it might not heal the wound, but it will help us push forward and end this group on a high. We reacted after Oslo, a game where we had huge problems, so we faced down all the waves of attacks that came our way,\u201d confirmed Tonali.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is football, it\u2019s joy when you win and horrible when you lose, so you\u2019ve got to take the blows when you deserve them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"GianlucaGianluca Scamacca playing for Italy in Moldova during a 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)<\/p>\n

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Moldova 0-2 Italy<\/a><\/p>\n

Gennaro Gattuso already said that Tonali will not be risked against Norway on Sunday at San Siro, because he is one yellow card away from suspension, and they cannot risk losing him for the play-off semi-final.<\/p>\n

On top of that, it will also see the former AC Milan midfielder return to the Milanello training ground, where Italy are going to prepare for the match.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is emotional, the last time was almost three years ago. It is a place that is in my heart and every time I go back to Milan will be emotional for me. It\u2019s not the first time, but will always feel like the second, it\u2019s always going to be wonderful,\u201d smiled the Newcastle star.<\/p>\n


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