CdS: Gattuso plans dinners with Italy squad in three different cities before play-offs

The Italy national team are attempting to figure out ways to get together before their World Cup play-off campaign in March, and reports from Corriere dello Sport suggest that Gennaro Gattuso will organise team dinners in three different cities in an attempt to get some face-to-face time with his players before March. 

Italy’s place in the World Cup play-offs was confirmed after Sunday evening’ 4-1 defeat against Norway. The Azzurri finished qualification Group I with 18 points from eight matches, but that was not enough to stop Norway from qualifying for the tournament with a 100% win rate. 

The Norway loss was Italy’s last match before the World Cup play-off semi-finals on March 26, and given that Gattuso will only have a couple of days to work with his players at the beginning of that international break, there are ongoing discussions as to how to get the squad together before then. 

There had been suggestions that the FIGC could even look to move Serie A or Coppa Italia matches in order to help the national team, but this is a long-shot for various logistical reasons. 

Now, according to reports from Corriere dello Sport, Gattuso plans on taking his squad for a series of team dinners before the next international break in March. 

Tuesday’s report claims that Gattuso will arrange get togethers in three different cities: One in Milan for his players based in the north of Italy, one in Rome for those based in the middle and south, and one in London for those currently based in the Premier League.