Gattuso confirms Italy strike partnership for Israel: ‘Raspadori will start’ | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed that Giacomo Raspadori will partner Mateo Retegui up front for the Italy national team when they take on Israel in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday evening.

Gattuso is looking to make it four wins from four matches in charge of the Azzurri, following 5-0 and 5-4 victories against Estonia and Israel in September, and the 3-1 win away against Estonia in Tallinn on Saturday evening.

Italy sit in second place in World Cup qualification Group I with 12 points from five matches, behind Norway, whose 100% record remains intact after their six qualifiers so far.

Celebrations during the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn (@azzurri)

Who will start up front for Italy without Kean?

Italy are expected to make a handful of changes for the Israel clash on Tuesday evening: Moise Kean has withdrawn from the squad with an injury concern, while Alessandro Bastoni is suspended and has returned to Inter.

Gattuso is expected to stick with a two-man strike partnership, even without Kean at his disposal. There had been recent suggestions that Francesco Pio Esposito could earn his full Italy debut against Estonia, but Gattuso has recently confirmed that Raspadori will be the man to partner Retegui in Udine.

BERGAMO – SEPTEMBER 05: Giacomo Raspadori 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. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

“Raspadori will play with Retegui,” Gattuso said in an interview with Rai Sport on Tuesday.

“Pio Esposito is a huge talent. He’s doing well and can help us during the match,” the CT added.

“We have to go back to being Italy. We’ve never been the strongest, not even when we were winning. But we’ve always come together on the pitch, with strength and unity of purpose,” Gattuso concluded.