Italy "can't afford" another failed World Cup qualifying attempt and head coach Gennaro Gattuso "must be supported", according to Gianfranco Zola.

The four-time world champions are set to appear in the play-offs for next year's tournament, having finished second behind Norway in their qualifying group.

Italy will play Northern Ireland in the semi-finals on March 26 and, should they progress, will face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final three days later.

The Azzurri would join Qatar, Switzerland and co-hosts Canada in Group B, but have failed to qualify for each of the last two editions, in 2018 and 2022, following defeats against Sweden and North Macedonia, respectively.

Zola, who represented his nation at the 1994 World Cup, believes a third straight absence is not an option, and urged everyone to get behind Gattuso – the man who replaced Luciano Spalletti in June.

"The history of our football can't afford this, and therefore, everyone, including the press, has to play a role and help create the right atmosphere," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We're not to be thrown away, and we weren't before either, but we have to be there, because having already missed two was a heavy blow. Gattuso must be supported, even by luck."

Zola also had his say on the hotly contested Serie A title race, with his former side Napoli occupying third place, two points behind leaders Inter, and well in the hunt to win successive Scudetti for the first time in their history.

The former Partenopei forward, who helped the club win the 1989-90 Scudetto during his four-year spell, is backing his former employers to go all the way once more.

"I think Inter remain the best team, even if only by a little," he added. "But I'm romantic, and I'll say Napoli because of what it has represented in my life. My first child was born there, and I've received so much."