Overview

• Luciano Spalletti said Francesco Acerbi first agreed to a pre-call for the Norway match and then pulled out via SMS after initially indicating he was available.
• He explained he turned back to the 37-year-old because three defenders—Gabbia, Buongiorno and Gatti—were injured before the decisive June qualifier Italy lost 3-0 in Oslo.
• Acerbi has previously argued he declined out of respect for his age and role, saying he did not want to be used for a single match after critical comments about his years.
• Spalletti acknowledged errors in his Azzurri management, saying he tried to impose his own intensity when the squad needed more lightness under heavy pressure.
• He praised Rino Gattuso's start, backed Italy to reach the World Cup, highlighted leaders like Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Tonali and Barella, and likened striker Pio Esposito's profile to Christian Vieri as Mario Balotelli separately voiced a desire to return and questioned current players' hunger.