Gennaro Gattuso, the head coach of Italy’s national football team, has expressed concerns regarding the team’s recent performance. He believes Italy has strayed from its traditional strengths in pursuit of a different footballing style.
Gattuso Criticizes Italy for Losing Excellence
During a press conference held on June 19, 2025, in Rome, Gattuso stated that Italy “lost some of that strength by trying to do something different.” He emphasized the need for the team to revert to its historically strong defensive practices, which have made Italy a formidable presence in international football.
Upcoming Matches and Qualifying Challenges
The Italian national team, known as the Azzurri, faces a challenging road ahead in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. They are currently behind Norway in their group and must secure wins in all upcoming matches. One critical game is scheduled at Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, where they will compete against Estonia on September 5, 2025.
- Date: September 5, 2025
- Location: Le Coq Arena, Tallinn
- Kick-off time: 19:45 UK time (18:45 GMT)
- Key Previous Match: Italy vs. Israel (5-4 win) raised defensive issues.
Focus on Defensive Strengths
Gattuso highlighted that Italian football has historically excelled in goalkeeping, defensive tactics, and overall strategic play. The recent trend of focusing on individual performances over collective defense has increased vulnerabilities.
He noted, “We must get back to doing the things we have stopped doing.” The coach aims to instill a sense of teamwork that has been lacking in recent matches, urging his players to anticipate danger and collaborate effectively on the pitch.
Projected Formation and Strategy
For the upcoming match against Estonia, Gattuso is likely to implement a 4-4-2 formation, which may evolve into a more attack-oriented 4-2-4 setup. This approach includes players such as:
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Defenders: Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Calafiori, Federico Dimarco
- Midfielders: Riccardo Orsolini, Nicolò Barella, Sandro Tonali, Giacomo Raspadori
- Forwards: Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui
Gattuso’s focus remains on restoring Italy’s defensive integrity while encouraging bold and courageous play. He aspires for the team to regain its once-feared reputation on the world stage.
