Mansion Sports – Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori revealed the intense leadership style of Italy national team coach Gennaro Gattuso.

He even joked that the coach has contacted him more frequently than his own mother in recent months.

The 23-year-old player is currently preparing for the World Cup play-off match against Northern Ireland, where Italy are aiming to avoid failing to qualify for the third consecutive time.

Gattuso’s Personal Approach to Coaching

Gattuso, who previously managed AC Milan and Napoli, is known for having a highly personal approach to his players.

In recent months, he has actively traveled across various countries in Europe to maintain direct relationships with his squad ahead of important World Cup qualification matches.

Calafiori, who had suffered an injury while playing for Arsenal, experienced this attention firsthand.

He stated that Gattuso consistently contacted him during his recovery period, even when he was not receiving much playing time. This demonstrates the coach’s level of care for the individual condition of his players.

A Dinner Full of Togetherness

In addition to intensive communication, Gattuso also organized informal gatherings such as dinners with the players.

Calafiori explained that the experience felt warm and full of togetherness, similar to a meeting among close friends.

During these occasions, they not only discussed football but also strengthened personal relationships. This relaxed atmosphere provided space for players to get to know each other more closely outside the pressure of matches.

Meeting with Italian Legends

During his visit, Gattuso was not alone. He was accompanied by important figures in Italian football such as Gianluigi Buffon and Leonardo Bonucci.

The three of them met with Calafiori in London, providing a valuable experience for the young player.

The meeting was filled with various stories and football experiences from those legends.

For Calafiori, this became a source of inspiration as well as an important learning opportunity in his career, especially in his first season in the Premier League.

Increasing Competition at Arsenal

Calafiori’s situation at club level has become more challenging in recent times. After delivering impressive performances at the start of his time with Arsenal following his move from Bologna, he had to step aside due to a muscle injury at the end of December.

During his absence, other players such as Piero Hincapie managed to deliver solid performances, making Calafiori’s position as a starter no longer guaranteed.

Nevertheless, he remains focused on recovering his physical condition and striving to return to his best performance.

Arsenal themselves are currently in a strong position in the league standings with a nine-point lead over Manchester City, despite having experienced disappointment after losing in the English League Cup final.

Ambition to Qualify for the World Cup

The Italy national team is facing significant pressure in their attempt to qualify for the World Cup. After failing to appear in the previous two editions due to surprising defeats in the play-off rounds, they are now determined not to repeat the same mistakes.

To achieve this, Italy must first defeat Northern Ireland in Bergamo.

If successful, they will face the winner between Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina in the next stage.