Pazza Italia: Five things we learned from Gattuso’s first two Italy games | OneFootball

New Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso got the six points he needed from clashes with Estonia and Israel. Giancarlo Rinaldi examines two victories which could hardly have been more different.

Ten goals in two games should have made things easy. Instead, Rino Gattuso’s men risked leaving two points in Hungary against an enterprising Israel side in one of the most madcap games the Azzurri have ever played. What did we learn about Italy’s new era across their latest World Cup qualification matches?

Relentless Rino

It will surprise nobody that the new man was an intense figure throughout his first games in charge as he howled instructions from the bench. He never ceased encouraging his troops to go forward even when they were well clear of Estonia. And he looked like he might pass out at any moment during his second match. After the sometimes forlorn and resigned figure of Luciano Spalletti, his whole staff was as animated as a team of Italian caterers watching someone try to put pineapple on their pizza.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – SEPTEMBER 09: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates after scoring the second goal during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A2 match between Israel and Italy at Bozsik Arena on September 09, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Deadly double act

For years we wondered if the Azzurri could play two strikers together and the answer was a resounding yes – when they are in the form of Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean. Not only did they look good individually but their interplay and understanding looked as if they had been playing together for years. Now Gattuso has the tricky task of finding a way to get the best out of both of them while retaining a tactical balance to the rest of the side outside of the attacking third of the pitch.

Desperate defending

Having taken their time to break down Estonia, Italy were back to their old shaky ways at the back against more capable opponents. Gigio Donnarumma looked uncertain at playing it out from the back, there were sloppy backpasses and every time their opponents attacked they looked like they could concede. Two own goals told their own story of a side still struggling to provide a solid base for the midfield and attack to perform. The best forwards around the world will be licking their lips at getting a chance to take them on. World Cup qualification would seem almost pointless unless they can find a way to stop playing themselves into trouble.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Giacomo Raspadori of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Weary warriors

Having gone to the World Club Cup there was little doubt that some of Italy’s key performers from Inter looked to be a little out of sorts. Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella and Federico Di Marco are usually important presences but none of them really looked like their old selves across the two games. An own goal from Basto, some stray passes and frustration from the midfielder and inaccurate crosses from the full-back were signals that they were not in tip-top form. The Azzurri will hope they can recuperate in time for another round of games in October where nothing but wins will do once more.

Raspa’s ready

A World Cup campaign is about more than finding a good starting XI and the Atletico Madrid man showed – twice – that he can make a great impact from the bench. Some players seem to slip more easily than others into the blue of their country and Jack Raspadori is definitely one such star. A versatile and valuable option to bring on against stuffy opponents or to give other forwards a rest, he confirmed that this squad has plenty of quality going forward but needs to sort out its defensive solidity. For a nation once famed for its rock-solid rearguard, these are scary times at present.