Just one change as Gattuso drops four Italy players for Israel game | OneFootball

Daniel Maldini replaces Mattia Zaccagni in the Italy squad to face Israel, so the Lazio winger will go to the stands alongside Marco Carnesecchi, Giovanni Leoni and Giovanni Fabbian.

Gattuso has named his final squad list for Italy’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Israel tonight, Monday, September 8, 2025.

Gattuso drops four players for Israel-Italy

ROME, ITALY – AUGUST 31: Mattia Zaccagni of Lazio scores his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Olimpico on August 31, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

As reported by TMW, Zaccagni, Carnesecchi, Leoni, and Fabbian won’t even go on the bench tonight.

Zaccagni started the previous game against Estonia,  but has now been replaced by Maldini, who was sent to the stands on Friday.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy during the National anthems prior to 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)

The other three players, Leoni, Carnesecchi and Fabbian, had already been dropped for last week’s game against Estonia.

Gattuso likely to change Italy system v. Israel

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)

Italy secured a 5-0 win on Gattuso’s debut last week, but are going into another must-win game tonight as the three points would allow the Azzurri to catch Israel in second place in Group I.

Gattuso is expected to pick a 4-3-3 system tonight, with either Giacomo Raspadori or Moise Kean starting as a left winger.