Two possible Italy line-ups as Gattuso holds talks with 35 players | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso has already called 35 Italy players, and according to Gazzetta, there are two possible line-ups for the Azzurri under their new coach.

Gattuso was unveiled at a press conference on Thursday and revealed that he had already spoken to 35 players, including Federico Chiesa.

The former midfielder will make his debut as Italy’s head coach on September 5 in a home World Cup qualifying match against Estonia at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.

Gattuso called 35 Italy players

HAMBURG, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 15: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 Knockout Round Play-offs First Leg match between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique de Marseille at Volksparkstadion on February 15, 2024 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Friday’s printed edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that with the 35 players already contacted by Gattuso, there are two possible formations that the ex-Napoli coach can deploy in a few months.

One is a 3-4-3 formation with Riccardo Calafiori on the bench, Matteo Politano, Moise Kean and Mattia Zaccagni up front.

The 4-2-3-1 formation features the same attacking trident, joined by Giacomo Raspadori as an attacking midfielder.

Gattuso hasn’t yet decided on which formation he will use on his debut in September and insisted that his priority will be to change the team’s mindset and restore a high sense of belonging.

Possible Italy XIs under Gattuso

3-4-3: Donnarumma; Coppola (Leoni), Buongiorno, Bastoni (Calafiori); Di Lorenzo, Barella, Tonali, Cambiaso; Politano (Orsolini), Kean, Zaccagni.

4-2-3-1: Donnarumma; Cambiaso, Buongiorno, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Tonali; Politano, Raspadori, Zaccagni (Chiesa); Kean (Retegui).

Gennaro Gattuso’s possible Italy XI from Gazzetta dello Sport, June 20, 2025, page 14.