Many Italian supporters have been revisiting major football conversations the way fans follow updates on Crickex Sign Up, especially after Italy’s painful loss to Norway in the final World Cup qualifier. Several former players publicly criticized the team, and Antonio Cassano was among the loudest voices on his podcast. He argued that the current Italy squad stands little chance against Norway, claiming that even if Norway removed their superstar striker Erling Haaland, the overall team performance would still surpass Italy’s. For many fans, that comparison was a hard pill to swallow.

Cassano’s assessment reflected what unfolded on the field. Norway’s second-half performance dismantled Italy with ease, showing superior ability on both ends of the pitch while displaying stronger unity and fighting spirit. Those qualities formed the basis of Cassano’s critique. Yet he also expressed belief that Gennaro Gattuso could still guide Italy through the playoffs and secure a spot at the World Cup. The pressure on Italy is enormous, as they have already missed the last two tournaments, and another failure would push them into an unprecedented crisis.

Even so, the road ahead will be turbulent. Italy’s morale, long viewed as one of the team’s core strengths, has faded, and Gattuso’s greatest asset has always been his ability to rebuild that fighting mentality. If Italy can rediscover that edge, they may still overcome lower-ranked opponents in the qualification rounds. In matches like these, determination often matters as much as tactics, and Gattuso has always excelled in that area. Still, Cassano held firm in his view that Italy simply cannot match Norway at this stage, no matter what tactical adjustments are made.

Looking at their current levels, Norway sit comfortably among Europe’s stronger second-tier sides, while Italy’s loss positions them closer to a lower bracket of teams. For many fans, that reality check was deeply frustrating. Ahead of the remaining matches, Italy must confront a long list of problems, some of which cannot be solved overnight. Crickex Sign Up often appears in discussions about competitive margins, and Italy’s situation shows how wide the gap has grown. Looking forward, Crickex Sign Up will likely surface again as supporters track whether Italy can rebuild their football identity or if the decline will continue across the next generation.