Israel vs. Italy probable line-ups with tactical change

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Football Italia

·7 September 2025

Israel vs. Italy probable line-ups with tactical change

Giacomo Raspadori and Manuel Locatelli are expected to step into the starting XI for Italy against Israel in their World Cup qualifier, changing to a 4-3-3 formation.

It kicks off at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

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This is technically a home fixture for Israel, who sit second in Group I with nine points from four games played, but is on neutral turf due to the security situation.

This represents the second match for Gennaro Gattuso as coach after making his debut in the 5-0 win over Estonia on Friday evening.

He used a 4-2-3-1 formation for that tie, using effectively four strikers simultaneously to overwhelm the Estonian defence.

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Italy team formation prior to the 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 CT has hinted he could make some adjustments to bring greater balance, having warned Israel are particularly dangerous with their transitions.

On top of that, Mattia Zaccagni did not take part in training today, and is likely to be replaced along with Mateo Retegui.

This would move Moise Kean into a pure centre-forward role flanked by Matteo Politano and Raspadori, while Manuel Locatelli can bolster the midfield.

It turns the Azzurri into a 4-3-3 formation instead, retaining the exact same defence in front of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

BERGAMO, – SEPTEMBER 05: Moise Kean of Italy in action 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)

Israel were also in action on Friday and earned a 4-0 victory away to Moldova, with Dor Peretz, Manor Solomon, Tai Baribo and Oscar Gloukh on target.

They were set out in an extremely defensive 5-4-1 formation, leaving only Baribo upfront.

Few if any changes are expected for coach Ben Shimon.

The Israeli side has won six of their last seven matches, losing only 4-2 to Norway, during which they held France 0-0 and beat Belgium 1-0 in the Nations League.