The Azzurri already knew they would finish second in the group and were destined for the playoffs before the clash as their World Cup qualification campaign was compromised from the start when they lost the opening group game in Oslo in June and Norway’s hugely superior goal difference meant only a victory by nine goals would give them the top spot and automatic qualification.
But Gattuso was hoping for a convincing win on Sunday to give his men confidence ahead of the daunting prospect of facing the playoffs again, after defeats at this stage to Sweden and North Macedonia saw them fail to reach the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
“We have to apologise to our fans because 4-1 is a heavy defeat,” Gattuso said.
“We are licking our wounds.”
Italy had taken the lead in the early stages thanks to a fine strike by Pio Esposito and looked good in the first half.
But they collapsed after Antonio Nusa equalised in the 63rd minute, with Erling Haaland bagging a double in the 78th and 79th minutes and Jorgen Strand Larsen completing the rout in injury time.
“We have to restart from the first half,” said Gattuso.
“We played well, they were compact, we did the right things.
“The game changed when they took their first shot and we started to get scared.
“Today was very important for me because we were playing against a good team and it could have given us the confidence and mentality to take a step forward.
“We failed, but we will have to reflect because we can’t fall to pieces at the first setback.”
ANSA
