Gattuso: ‘Important thing is for Italy to keep creating chances’ | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso insists ‘the important thing is to create chances’ after Italy beat Estonia 3-1, with his sights set firmly on the 2026 World Cup play-offs.

It was a strong start in Estonia, as Moise Kean opened the scoring within five minutes, but then limped off with a sprained right ankle.

Mateo Retegui saw a penalty saved, only to make up for it by netting the second on an assist from Riccardo Orsolini.

Francesco Pio Esposito got his historic first senior goal for Italy at the age of 20, but Gianluigi Donnarumma fumbled an easy cross to gift Estonia a goal for the 3-1 result.

Gattuso notes Italy have a mission

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 important thing is to create the chances. You can miss them and see penalties saved too, but the important thing is to get those opportunities,” Gattuso told RAI Sport.

Alessandro Bastoni was booked and will therefore be suspended for Tuesday’s crucial head-to-head with Israel in Udine.

“We must continue like this, recover, because our history suggests we always struggle more in the second game. We have a lot at stake, as if we win, then Israel are out of the running, and we can prepare for the play-offs with more calm.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy gesture 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)

The Azzurri knew that Norway had swept Israel aside 5-0 just before kicking off in Tallinn, so it is now almost inevitable their maximum target is reaching the 2026 World Cup play-offs.

“We have a mission, which is to grow game by game, stay together and work hard, then build our confidence. When I see this spirit, we can make some mistakes, but I remain very happy with the performance,” continued Gattuso.

“We’ve got to keep pushing and hope to keep growing too. Gigio’s error was just a moment, I rarely see any team dominate so completely for 90 minutes. If anything, it can help us remember the importance of focus.”

Moise Kean and Giovanni Di Lorenzo celebrate Italy’s opener against Estonia in Tallinn (@azzurri)

Kean was carried off with a sprained ankle and has to be a major doubt for the next match against Israel.

“We’ll see, his ankle was painful and we hope it is nothing serious, as we need everyone. At least it was good that Pio came on and scored,” concluded Gattuso.

Not since 1949 had an Italy coach overseen at least three goals in his first three games at the helm, not to mention three victories.