Sacchi: Gattuso has achieved remarkable results after coaching the Italian team, but the content of the game still needs to be improved

Former Italian meritorious coach Sacchi recently commented on the work of current coach Gattuso in a column. Sacchi first affirmed Gattuso's "many contributions", especially in reviving the team's spirit.

Sacchi pointed out that Gattuso took over the team during a difficult period, which was full of controversy, tension and pressure. But Gattuso wisely focused on teamwork, making "subtle psychological interventions" and asking players to commit to the Italian team. Sacchi emphasized that Gattuso's results are significant. The team has made a positive start with five wins in five games. There seems to be no cracks in the team. The players have re-recognized the significance of the national team. These credits belong to Gattuso and his team.

However, Sacchi also made it clear that Italy "must play better." He was disappointed with his team's performance against Moldova. Although Gattuso used a new lineup that night, Sacchi believed that the team must make "significant improvements" in the content of the game. The game lacked the necessary highlights, especially in the attack on the wings.

The biggest challenge lies in "technical issues". He analyzed that Serie A lacks a unified style with the coexistence of four and five backs, and the coexistence of high-position pressure and defensive counterattacks, which brings complexity to the unified concept of the national team coach.

Sacchi agreed with Gattuso's idea of ​​using a back four to increase manpower in the midfield or attack, but he stressed that Italy "needs to make a qualitative leap in the midfield." Sacchi demanded that the team's offensive organization must be "more fluid, touch the ball less, and run more." He pointed out that this is related to "the basic principles of the game" rather than the specific players used.

Sacchi further explained that the team must immediately look for deep passes and synchronized runs, rather than too much ineffective possession like they did against Moldova. He praised Gattuso's tactical "discovery" of using two forwards, which is rare in the national team and the league, and believed that the combination of Retegui and Pio Esposito contributed more than the combination of Laspadori and Scamacca.

Finally, Sacchi warned that he "doesn't even want to think about Italy missing the World Cup again", which would be "a national disaster." He believes that the team can pass the play-offs, but it must make a "qualitative leap" thereafter and participate in the World Cup as a "protagonist" rather than a "side-by-side".