Estonia v Italy: likely line-ups and Gattuso’s picks for tonight | OneFootball

Italy returns to the field for one of the most delicate matches in Group I of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After the resounding 5–0 handed to Estonia in Bergamo, Gennaro Gattuso’s Azzurri are called to confirm themselves in the return match, scheduled in Tallinn, where mistakes are forbidden.

Estonia–Italy, the probable line-ups and Gattuso’s choices for tonight

With Politano and Zaccagni unavailable due to injury, the head coach is ready to redesign the team’s offensive setup, while still keeping the forward-leaning 4-4-2 already seen in recent outings.

“Italy can’t afford any more mistakes: we need a clear win”

The group standings leave no room for error: Italy are second, level on points with Israel (who have a game in hand) and six points behind Norway. Goal difference penalizes the Azzurri, who must win and score to keep alive the dream of direct qualification or, at least, secure a more favorable playoff draw.

Gattuso knows this well, and has therefore worked during the week on an aggressive tactical plan based on intensity, high pressing, and wing play.

Gattuso’s likely choices: two new faces on the flanks

Compared to the match in Bergamo, there should be two changes. In goal, of course, Donnarumma remains the cornerstone, protected by the quartet Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, and Dimarco.

In midfield, space for Barella and Tonali in central positions, while on the wings Gattuso seems inclined to trust Spinazzola on the right—ahead of Cambiaso—and Raspadori on the left, a solution that would allow the Napoli forward to tuck inside and create numerical superiority between the lines.

The tactical doubt remains tied to the possibility of starting Orsolini from the first minute, a choice that would make Italy more offensive but less balanced out of possession.

Up front, the Kean–Retegui partnership is fully confirmed, a duo that has provided good answers both in movement and finishing.

Estonia–Italy, the probable line-ups

Italy (4-4-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Spinazzola, Barella, Tonali, Raspadori; Kean, Retegui. Head coach: Gennaro Gattuso

Estonia (4-2-3-1): Hein; Larsen, Paskotsi, Kuusk, Saliste; Palumets, Shein; Kait, Kristal, Sinyavskiy; Sappinen. Head coach: Thomas Henn

The tactical key: tempo and width to break through Estonia’s lines

For Gattuso, the key to the match will be the ability to maintain tempo and width, exploiting the full-backs’ speed and the ball-playing quality of Barella and Tonali. The goal is to force Estonia to drop deep and open central gaps for Kean and Retegui to exploit.

Mentally, the head coach has asked his players for “a courageous, fearless performance,” aware that a win in Tallinn would represent a crucial step toward the 2026 World Cup.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.