Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy, did not apologize for the bad show from his side in their 3-0 defeat in Norway in the World Cup qualifications on Friday, and said that their form was not acceptable and the fans earn better.
Italy played the first game of their qualifying campaign and was stunned after a ruthless first half of Norway, who placed three past the visitors thanks to Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland.
Italy is fourth in group I, while Norway led the group with nine points from three games. Estonia, Moldova and Israel are also in group I.
“I don't have an explanation at the moment. You just have to go inside and realize the performance tonight. Our fans don't earn this,” Donnarumma told the Italian TV channel RAI Sport.
“We all have to come from these games together, we have to investigate our conscience.”
Italy vs Norway player Ratingsflash score
The four times world cup winners have no longer qualified for the global showpiece event since 2014.
Luciano Spalletti, manager of Italy, said his team went through a difficult patch and that he would talk about the situation with the Italian football federation.
“The first of all has to come from us. We are Italy and these competitions 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 closed season.
Italy next host on the fifth placed Moldova on Monday.