Locatelli: ‘Gattuso is a real man who says things to your face’ | OneFootball

Manuel Locatelli admits he had ‘problems with consistency’ in his career, but praises Gennaro Gattuso with a dig at previous Italy bosses. ‘He’s a real man who says things to your face.’

The Azzurri took a long while to break Israel down at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, finding the way through with a Mateo Retegui penalty, while Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make two big saves.

It went better after the break, as Retegui curled into the top corner, then in stoppages Gianluca Mancini nodded in from a corner for the final 3-0 result.

This means Italy are guaranteed a place in the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, with the draw to find out who they will face on November 21, then playing in March 2026.

Locatelli hails Gattuso after tense other experiences

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, sings the Italian national anthem prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“We could’ve done better, but this is no time to look at the past, we need the present and the future,” Locatelli told Sky Sport Italia and RAI Sport.

“We are certainly experiencing it better now, the coach brought a lot of positive energy, he has faith in me and I feel that. I also saw the right attitude over the last few days, this group really wants to do well.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Italy 3-0 Israel

The Juventus midfielder has gone through some ups and downs with the Italy squad, often being frozen out entirely, while today he stepped in after a change of system from 4-3-3 to 3-5-2.

“I had problems with consistency in my career, I accept the blame for that without alibis. I have reached maturity now, I feel happy and want to continue like this,” noted Locatelli.

UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Players of Italy pose for a team photograph prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Out of Gattuso’s four games in charge of Italy, Locatelli has started two of them, and does not disguise his fondness for the coach, perhaps with a little dig for predecessors too.

“I know the coach well and his main characteristic is that he is a real man, he tells you things to your face. That is a very important thing for a coach, and it is very good for us. He gave another wonderful speech in the locker room today, we’ll keep that to ourselves.

“As I said, he’s real and he says things to your face.”