Italy coach Gattuso shrugs off Bosnia atmosphere saying fans don't score goals

ZENICA, Bosnia, March 30 : Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso dismissed concerns over pitch conditions and the atmosphere his side would face in Bosnia for their World Cup playoff final, saying he had never conceded a goal to a fan.

Gattuso carries the weight of Italian football on his shoulders as his team bid to reach the finals for the first time since 2014. After beating Northern Ireland at home in the semi-final, Italy now take on Bosnia away in Zenica on Tuesday.

Italy were forced into a change of plans after snow and rain led to fears over pitch conditions in Bosnia, and trained in Florence on Monday morning before travelling.

"It's an excuse. If the pitch is bad, it's bad for both teams, the match still has to be played," Gattuso told reporters.

"If we start thinking about the pitch, the stands... no, that's weak. I've seen the pitch and it's fine. Honestly, even if it were bad, there's little we could do.

"The respect we have for Bosnia is enormous, for what they show on the pitch. As for the fans, they don't score goals, that's never happened to me."

Gattuso replaced Luciano Spalletti early in the qualification campaign after defeat to Norway had already compromised their ambitions.

LESS PRETTY, MORE SOLID

Despite a far from perfect performance against Northern Ireland, the manager has seen plenty of improvements since taking charge.

"Tactically, the other night we got it wrong," Gattuso said.

"Seven months ago we were not this team. We suffered against opponents, they reached our goal easily, they created chances. At the beginning we conceded ridiculous goals, we were fragile, we struggled to hold our shape.

"Maybe we didn't play ultra‑offensive football and maybe we were less brilliant, but right now I prefer a team that is