Rino Gattuso provided an initial assessment of his six months in charge of the Italian national team in a lengthy interview with Vivo Azzurro TV, focusing on the work completed thus far and the main goal for the coming months: the March playoffs, which will determine World Cup qualification. The coach stated that he accepted the position without reservation, highlighting the pride and sense of duty associated with serving as the Azzurri coach. He described the role as a privilege, although being mindful of the weight that comes with representing an entire country. Pressure is nothing new for Gattuso; it has been a part of his personal and professional development since his debut. On the sports front, the first six months concluded with five victories and one defeat, a record Gattuso believes reflects the positive response of the team, which has been called to recover after a difficult period. Gattuso emphasized the players' attitude, their readiness to make sacrifices, and the sense of unity demonstrated on the field, factors he considers essential for developing a cohesive and strong team. Now, attention turns to the decisive March matches, starting with the semifinal against Northern Ireland. Gattuso has urged not to underestimate any opponent, reminding that modern football offers no easy games. The objective of returning to the World Cup, from which Italy has been absent since 2014, remains of utmost importance; however, the coach prefers to concentrate on daily preparations, closely observing the players and postponing specific playoff preparation until the team's retreat in Coverciano. Over these months, he explained, he will continue to observe the league and stay in constant contact with the players, believing that a team is built through presence and shared experiences, not just on the field.