Friday’s Italian Paper Round-Up: Italy Destined For Playoffs, Napoli Entertain New Injury Blow, Roma Flying High
There are plenty of talking points across Friday's Italian sports newspapers as Norway all but condemn Italy to the dreaded World Cup playoffs. The Azzurri are looking to make the finals for the first time since 2014.
Ben Horlock
Updated on 14 November 2025
Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso is on the brink of the World Cup playoffs after Norway thrashed Estonia 4-1 on Thursday.
Despite the Azzurri’s 2-0 victory in Moldova, it would take a minor miracle for Gattuso to lead his charges to automatic World Cup qualification.
The 2006 winner welcomes the Scandinavians to the San Siro on Sunday. Italy need to thrash their opponents by a record-equaling scoreline to top Group I.
Gennaro Gattuso Set For World Cup Playoffs – Friday’s Italian Sports Papers (11/14/2025)
La Gazzetta Dello Sport
“Too little” is the headline that La Gazzetta dello Sport opted for on Friday. With Federico Chiesa’s Italy future in doubt under Gennaro Gattuso, the same could be said of the head coach next year.
Gattuso knows it is absolutely imperative to secure qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Especially as the four time winners missed out on the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Goals from Gianluca Mancini and Pio Esposito earned a limp 2-0 win in Moldova. However, Gattuso hit out at supporters who protested against the squad.
Earlier in the day, Norway beat Estonia 4-1 to essentially guarantee top spot. Domestically, the Milan Derby is just over a week away and Napoli’s Frank Anguissa has been ruled out for 2-3 months.
Corriere Dello Sport
Corriere leads with: “Playoff, rightly so” as Italy needs a record-equaling win against Norway to top Group I. Goals from Mancini and Esposito gave the Azzurri maximum points in Moldova.
That has meant Gennaro Gattuso’s side has the slimmest chance of automatic qualification after Norway brushed aside Estonia 4-1 on Thursday.
Sassuolo star Domenico Berardi gives an exclusive interview. The 31-year explains that it’s nice to be considered a club legend that he feels reborn. Berardi also says he almost quit the Mapei Stadium for a bigger club.
Napoli’s injury problems are mounting up after Frank Anguissa suffered a muscle tear. He isn’t expected back until January and is almost certain to miss AFCON.
Tuttosport
Gennaro Gattuso blasted the Italy ultras after the disappointing 2-0 win against Moldova. Gianluca Mancini (88) and Francesco Pio Esposito (90+2) spared the Azzurri’s blushes.
Tuttosport also said that the late win was not worthy of a World Cup place. Even if Gattuso beats Norway on Sunday, the 2006 winners will likely enter the playoffs.
With Roma boasting the best defense in Europe, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have earned some valuable column inches. As has new Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi who earned a 2-2 draw in his first outing against Fiorentina.
There’s also a report on Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti. The former Napoli and Italy head coach took charge at the Allianz Stadium on October 30.
Ben Horlock
Ben has a long standing devotion to Italian soccer and in particular, Serie A. Ben grew up watching legendary presenter James Richardson deliver the latest news and views with the daily papers and breakfast in hand. Not only does Ben follow Italy's top soccer division, he is an avid follower of all the major European leagues. Ben is an expert on all things Serie A and has produced a number of features and news articles for FootItalia as well as UK-based outlets such as HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport and Betfair. In the US, Ben has been published on ESPN and Sports Illustrated.
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