\n
ROME (AP) \u2014 Sandro Tonali<\/span> set a decisive goal for Italy’s predicament under Gennaro Gattuso<\/span> The dream of playing in the World Cup playoffs began at the midfielder’s breakfast table as a child.<\/p>\nTonali drank water every morning from a teacup with Gattuso’s painting on it.<\/p>\n
“That was my routine for many years. One day, the cup broke and I asked my mother to glue it back together,” Tonali said. “When I glued it back together, I had to leave it on the shelf. Someday I’m going to take it to (Gattuso) and get him to sign it.”<\/p>\n
Gattuso should be happy to sign the deal now that Tonali scored one goal and set up another in the 2-0 win over Northern Ireland. europe play-off semi-finals<\/span> on Thursday.<\/p>\nTonali, who plays in Gattuso’s old central midfield position and wears the coveted No. 8 jersey, broke the deadlock with a half-volley early in the second half and set up Moise Kean’s follow-up goal.<\/p>\n
“That was the most important goal of my career,” Tonali said.<\/p>\n
Italy was defeated by Sweden<\/span> and north macedonia<\/span>won the qualifying playoffs in each of the past two World Cups, but failed to advance to the final tournament in 2010 and 2014. Ever since Gattuso was the heart of the Azzurri’s last title-winning team in 2006, the four-time world champion has not been a threat at football’s biggest event.<\/p>\n“I was six years old, but I remember everything very clearly,” Tonali told UEFA.com in October. “That’s probably the only thing I remember from my childhood.”<\/p>\n
There are also Gattuso tea cups.<\/p>\n
Tonali became an AC Milan fan to support Gattuso and played for his favorite team shortly after Gattuso took over as Milan manager. So he couldn’t be happier Gattuso replaces sacked Luciano Spalletti<\/span> I worked in Italy last June.<\/p>\nTonali said, “I was happy to have him back in my life and to have him as my coach for the first time.”<\/p>\n
No gambling allowed<\/h2>\n
Tonali missed the 2024 European Championship during his playing days. Banned from gambling for 10 months<\/span> About the clubs he played for.<\/p>\nBut his life has recently taken a turn for the better after getting married last year and having a son, Leonard, in January.<\/p>\n
With Newcastle currently struggling in the Premier League, Tonali has been linked with transfer speculation and possible destinations such as Manchester United and Juventus.<\/p>\n
Next visit to Bosnia<\/h2>\n
Italy will next face Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final on Tuesday, but will need another win to qualify for the North American World Cup.<\/p>\n
“We have to win,” Tonali said. “There is no other choice.”<\/p>\n
Fellow midfielder Manuel Locatelli added: “We haven’t achieved anything yet.”<\/p>\n
Bosnia advanced from a 1-1 draw with Wales to a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory, with 40-year-old Edin Dzeko scoring the equalizer and 18-year-old Kerim Alaibegovic scoring the winning goal.<\/p>\n
“It’s going to be a tough atmosphere against experienced players,” Gattuso said. “It’s going to be another very tough match.”<\/p>\n
If Italy qualify for the World Cup, they will be placed in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.<\/p>\n
___<\/p>\n
AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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