Gennaro Gattuso emphasizes that Italy cannot rely solely on talent; they must rekindle the fighting spirit that has historically defined them.
The coach celebrated a fantastic inaugural match, triumphing over Estonia with a scoreline of 5-0 in Bergamo. However, Italy struggled to score until the 58th minute, when Moise Kean netted the opener, followed by goals from Mateo Retegui, Giacomo Raspadori, and Alessandro Bastoni.
“I feared that a goalless first half would lead to tension after the break, but the players maintained a consistent attitude. They performed admirably,” Gattuso shared.
Gattuso’s New Tactical Approach for Italy
In a significant departure from the Luciano Spalletti era, Gattuso implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring Kean, Retegui, Mattia Zaccagni, and Matteo Politano upfront.
“We understood the necessity of taking risks, even allowing one-on-one situations during counter-attacks, given our attacking lineup,” he explained to Sky Sport Italia. “It was crucial to utilize the flanks and target their defensive weaknesses, and we were unfortunate not to strike earlier.”
Discussing team dynamics, he remarked, “Quality alone doesn’t get you far. This team needs to be intense, press hard, and display hunger, and that was evident today.”
Despite being under pressure, Gattuso highlighted the positive atmosphere fostered within the team. He reflected on emotional moments, particularly the national anthem, expressing gratitude for the support from family and close colleagues.
As Italy aims to close the gap with group leaders Norway, who have a perfect record, their next match against Israel will be crucial. Gattuso acknowledged the complex emotions surrounding this encounter amid current geopolitical tensions, stating, “It’s painful to witness what civilians endure.”
