AFP, Rome:

Gennaro Gattuso said on Thursday he is convinced Italy can qualify for the World Cup (WC) as he begins his reign as Azzurri coach following the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti.

Italy are at risk of missing out on a third consecutive World Cup after a troubled start to their qualifying campaign which has left them nine points behind Group-I leaders Norway and cost Spalletti his job.

Asked whether he had more hope or conviction that Italy could reach next year’s finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico, Gattuso said: “conviction”.

“I believe that we have good players available to us. We have four or five who are among the top 10 in the world in their position,” added Gattuso.

“We have a good team, but I do mean team, I’m not thinking about individuals. I’m convinced that the team has quality and I’m convinced that we can achieve our goal.”

Gattuso has a tough job on his hands with only top spot in the group giving automatic qualification to the World Cup, even with Italy having played two fewer games than Norway.