Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma offered no excuses for his side's poor showing in their 3-0 defeat at Norway in the World Cup qualifiers on Friday, saying their form was not acceptable and the fans deserve better.
Playing the first match of their qualifying campaign, Italy were stunned after a ruthless first-half performance by Norway, who put three past the visitors thanks to Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland.
Italy sit fourth in Group I, while Norway lead the group with nine points from three matches. Estonia, Moldova and Israel are also in Group I.
"I have no explanation at the moment. You just have to go inside and realise the performance tonight. Our fans don't deserve this," Donnarumma told Italian TV channel Rai Sport.
"We all have to come out of these games together, we need to examine our conscience."
Italy vs Norway player ratingsFlashscore
The four-times World Cup winners have not qualified for the global showpiece event since 2014.
Italy manager Luciano Spalletti said his team were going through a difficult patch and that he would speak with the Italian Football Federation about the situation.
"From us, it has to come from us first of all. We are Italy and these matches are not acceptable. We must be more united than before," said Donnarumma, who won the Champions League, Ligue 1, French Cup and French Super Cup titles with Paris St Germain in the recently concluded season.
Italy next host fifth-placed Moldova on Monday.
FazullBouwy
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there's a reason you have 0 likes
bcz he is Barca they don't have any sense 🤣🤣🤣👊👊👊
spartadon12345
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The UCL-winning players are getting humiliated in their international duties 😳. and a blinds fan base is going to shout they deserve Ballon d'or
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there's a reason you have 0 likes
Hayabeimnu
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No Enrique system to help you this time Donnarumma
zaheinstu
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Italy not qualified for a world cup for over a decade!. They left the last Euro in group stage with only 1 point in 3 games!. Italian national team never been so rubbish!.
StevenKim13
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The UCL-winning players are getting humiliated in their international duties 😳. and a blinds fan base is going to shout they deserve Ballon d'or
wowadrsyz
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Italy is finished simple,they need to rebuild Asap
sahabklnor
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Italy has to realize that's a team of Champions and players shouldn't allow to miss again the world cup. They have to be focussed and concentrated to show to the world they're ready to win the cup for the fith times.