Retegui: ‘Italy absorbing the ideas’ of new coach Gattuso | OneFootball

Mateo Retegui is glad Italy are ‘absorbing the ideas’ of coach Gennaro Gattuso after beating Israel 3-0 to secure a World Cup play-off berth.

Just days after a less than exhilarating 3-1 victory over Estonia, the Azzurri struggled to break down Israel at the Stadio Friuli.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Players of Italy pose for a team photograph prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Retegui saw a penalty saved in that game, but decided to step up again this evening and converted with power to break the deadlock.

Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make two big saves, as after the 5-4 victory over Israel last month, Italy again showed weakness dealing with the counter-attack.

However, Retegui curled a sensational finish into the far top corner, before Gianluca Mancini in stoppages turned in from a corner kick for the final 3-0 result.

Retegui can’t stop scoring for Italy

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Mateo Retegui of Italy scores his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I am very happy, we are doing something very important here. The last two get togethers have been positive, we are absorbing the ideas of the coach,” Retegui told RAI Sport.

“I think we are creating a strong unit, we are scoring a lot of goals, and also managed to keep a clean sheet this evening.”

The chances of overtaking Norway at the top of the group are down to the bare minimum, even if they win the head-to-head next month, as Erling Haaland has helped create such a huge gap in terms of goal difference.

It means Italy are heading to the play-offs, where they had already failed to reach the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Anan Khalaili of Israel wins a header from Riccardo Calafiori of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Now we must rest, work to keep improving, remain humble and see what we can do in the next international duty games.”

Retegui has scored five goals in his last four Italy matches, despite many assuming he would lose sharpness playing in the Saudi Pro League with Al-Qadsiah.

“The Saudi Pro League is much harder than people think it is, there are teams that can compete with those in Europe. I am playing regularly and at a good tempo, so I am keeping fit,” added the former Atalanta striker on Sky Sport Italia.