Italy's World Cup Dream: Gattuso Fights to End 12-Year Absence, Avoid Third Miss

• Italy aims to end a 12-year FIFA World Cup absence, facing Northern Ireland in a tense semi-final play-off.
• Gennaro Gattuso leads the Azzurri, seeking stability after two consecutive World Cup qualification failures.
• Heavy defeats to Norway highlight the national team's decline since their last World Cup win 20 years ago.
• Missing the upcoming finals in USA, Canada, and Mexico would be a 'death knell' for Italian football.
• Gattuso faces pressure and key injuries, including doubts over Sandro Tonali and Federico Chiesa's withdrawal.