What Gattuso’s first Italy line-up could look like | OneFootball

Now that Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed the new Italy coach, his management history could give some pointers towards the kind of team he will choose.

Luciano Spalletti was fired after the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign began with a 3-0 defeat in Norway and 2-0 victory over minnows Moldova.

They will be back in action in September with crucial matches against Estonia and Israel, which will also be the debuts for new boss Gattuso.

Italy tactics at the forefront

REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – JUNE 9: Alessandro Bastoni of Italy during the FIFA 2026 Qualifier between Italy and Moldova at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on June 09, 2025 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Fresh from a second-place finish in Croatia with HNK Hajduk Split, the tactician had used a four-man defence for much of his coaching career, but switched to three in recent months.

Considering Spalletti had adopted three at the back and it is used by many of the top clubs in Serie A, it is likely he will continue along that path.

Gattuso has already worked with players like Manuel Locatelli, Sandro Tonali, Matteo Gabbia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Raoul Bellanova and Matteo Politano.

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)

The biggest changes are likely to be in terms of motivation and his approach to the players, able to represent the 2006 World Cup winning squad.

Unlike many Italian coaches, Rino has never been shy about looking to young players, so current Italy Under-21 talents like Cesare Casadei, Tommaso Baldanzi, Francesco Pio Esposito and Niccolò Pisilli could be bumped up sooner rather than later.

(3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni; Politano, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Kean, Raspadori