CHIŞINǍU, Moldova -- When big nations fail, the pressure can be intense, and another FIFA World Cup nightmare is threatening to engulf Italy . The Azzurri haven't even missed out on the 2026 World Cup yet, but discontent is already boiling over.

Federico Dimarco couldn't wait to get off the pitch at the end of a late, but meaningless, 2-0 win against Moldova and his Italy teammates and coach Gennaro Gattuso weren't far behind, none of them acknowledging the 400 Italy supporters who had made the trip to Chișinău.

Protests against the Italian Federation and chants directed at the players and Gattuso, who has only been in charge of the team since June, prompted the coach to hit back at the traveling fans and highlight the pressure that the coach and squad are under.

- 2026 Worl

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