* Italy vs. Northern Ireland: 2:45 AM on 27/3, Hanoi time.

Gattuso and Lippi celebrate their 2006 World Cup victory. Photo: Gazzetta dello Sport

Two decades ago, the entire Italian football system was rocked by the Calciopoli scandal. Before the national team traveled to Germany for the 2006 World Cup, public opinion in Italy called for coach Lippi's dismissal and demanded Gianluigi Buffon and Fabio Cannavaro be dropped. They faced accusations due to their connections to Juventus, the biggest culprit in Calciopoli.

Lippi had left Juventus after the 2003-2004 season, a period when he was not involved in the referee manipulation and match-fixing schemes later exposed. Still, he faced intense scrutiny and pressure to resign as Italy's coach.

Yet, these three figures became heroes, leading Italy to victory in Germany. Lippi rotated his squad flexibly, establishing a stable 4-2-3-1 formation. In a squad where 10 different players scored, Italy, marshaled by captain Cannavaro in defense and a solid Buffon in goal, conceded only two goals throughout the tournament.

Immediately after Lippi and his players lifted the World Cup trophy at the Olympic Stadium, Berlin, Gattuso literally grabbed his coach by the collar to prevent him from resigning. "You must stay! You must stay!" the midfielder cried.

But it was too late. Lippi had already decided to leave, exhausted by the personal attacks against him. Still, Lippi's tenacious warrior was not ready to accept this truth, driven by his unconditional affection for his coach.

Gattuso was more than just part of an Italy squad that conquered the World Cup through unity and a defiant spirit against all odds. In Lippi's eyes, his Italy team could never be without Gattuso, a player he never coached at the club level.

Just before flying to Germany in 2006, Gattuso suffered a muscle tear. He tried to hide it from Lippi and doctor Castellacci for two days, even crawling under blankets to conceal the bruise. When discovered and facing the risk of being dropped, Gattuso shouted: "You cannot leave me behind. I will chain myself to the bus!"

Gattuso's eyes widened fiercely at that moment. Lippi looked at Castellacci and asked: "Can he recover in time?" The doctor replied: "Anyone else, no; it would take at least two months, but ‘Rino’ might." So, the former AC Milan midfielder went to Germany, and his injury was kept from the press. "If they knew, they would have hung us," Lippi later recalled.

Gattuso celebrates with the World Cup trophy after Italy defeated France in the 2006 World Cup final. Photo: FIGC

The rest became history. Gattuso never forgot Lippi's favor, and Lippi never considered dropping Gattuso. The coach understood that if anything went wrong, he would be the first scapegoat. That was part of the game.

On the field, Gattuso repaid his coach by becoming a tireless midfield enforcer for Italy, covering for Andrea Pirlo and Francesco Totti. From then on, their relationship had no room for pleasantries or empty words.

"Just like me"

Gattuso once dreamed of coaching the Italy national team, and that day arrived, somewhat abruptly. In early 6/2025, a call from Buffon – a former teammate now the Italy national team manager – amidst the turmoil following coach Luciano Spalletti's resignation and Claudio Ranieri's refusal, changed everything.

Direct and straightforward, on the very day Gattuso was appointed, Lippi called to congratulate him, saying briefly with chuckles: "Now you are the head coach, and you know what that means... big trouble for you." At his unveiling, Gattuso recounted these words with amusement, mixed with emotion, in front of Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina and Buffon.

Lippi never made casual remarks. When asked who among the 2006 World Cup champions was "most like Lippi," he could have given a diplomatic answer. From Cannavaro to Alessandro Nesta, from Pirlo to Alberto Gilardino, Fabio Grosso, or Filippo Inzaghi, many pursued coaching careers. But he answered without hesitation: "Gattuso, he is just like me."

Gattuso receives a yellow card for protesting to the referee during Italy's match against Norway in the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup at San Siro on 16/11/2025. Photo: AFP

This wasn't about tactical formations, but about attitude, the balance between discipline and freedom, technique and fighting spirit, composure and strictness.

Amidst the turmoil before the 2006 World Cup, Lippi shielded his players. Now, Gattuso also protects the Italy team, conveying a sense of calm against the surrounding pessimism. The only instance he diverged from Lippi's approach was when he asked his players to forget past World Cup or Euro glories and start from scratch against Northern Ireland in the playoff semifinal.

Gattuso understands that after two World Cups watched from home, he is staking his future on this mission, despite only taking over the team last September in an already precarious situation. But he is not alone. From afar, yet with a close heart, Lippi remains by his side.

Lippi was once his coach, then became a friend, then a colleague, and now Gattuso's number one fan. Ahead of the playoff match against Northern Ireland, from his hometown of Viareggio, Turin, Lippi sent his sincerest wishes.

"A big hug, Rino," Lippi wrote on his personal page. "You are one of my best players; we won the World Cup together, we were a true 'team.' On the bench, you are very much like me in personality, how you treat players, and your vision. You remind me of... myself. You deserve the best, you deserve to qualify because of the fierce passion you always put into everything, from the pitch to everyday life. Good luck, my dear colleague. You have a good squad and will do everything not to miss the tournament we have been absent from for too long. We are all behind you; let's move forward together. We will go to the World Cup together! We will make it."

Gattuso instructs Italy players at the Coverciano training ground, Florence, Italy on 25/3. Photo: FIGC

Gattuso has always carried Lippi's influence since his early coaching days. He regularly contacts his former coach, seeking advice and discussing his adventure with the Azzurri. Gattuso traveled across Europe, taking over 80 flights, scouting players to build his own team, ignoring calls to select other players. Like Lippi years ago, Italy's current coach makes his choices and stands firm on them.

Two decades after Berlin, football has changed. Gattuso does not have Buffon, Cannavaro, Pirlo, Totti, Mauro Camoranesi, or Alessandro Del Piero at his disposal, nor another "Gattuso" on the field. But his Italy team has the spirit and distinct 'Gattuso' quality. And beside him, Lippi continues to empower his mission to North America.

Hoang Thong (according to Gazzetta dello Sport)