Locatelli hails Italy character after ‘crazy game’ to win 5-4 | OneFootball

Manuel Locatelli saw the best and worst of Italy in tonight’s 5-4 win over Israel, scoring an own goal and performing a goal-line clearance. ‘We’ve got to remark on the character of this team.’

The Azzurri had a nightmare start when going a goal down to the chaotic Locatelli attempt to clear that ended up poking it into his own net.

Moise Kean twice got them back on level terms, then the Nazionale climbed into a 4-2 lead with Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori.

They still threw that advantage away for 4-4, only for Sandro Tonali’s cross-shot to creep into the far bottom corner at the 91st minute.

Locatelli astonished by wild Italy match

Italy squad celebrate against Israel (@Azzurri)

“It was a crazy game, as we conceded goals, scored, conceded for 4-4, then won 5-4,” Locatelli told Sky Sport Italia.

“I think the thing we ought to remark is the character of this team. We made a lot of mistakes too that need to be analysed, we didn’t have the right approach from the start, and that cannot happen. We weren’t solid enough, as Israel were dangerous on the counter-attack.

“We need to analyse the match, but the victory is what we needed, and we achieved that.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Israel 4-5 Italy

Italy set out in a 4-2-3-1 formation for the 5-0 win over Estonia on Gennaro Gattuso’s debut on Friday, but changed to more of a 3-5-2 this evening in Debrecen.

Nicolo Barella plays for Italy against Israel in a World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)

“We are trying some new things, but perhaps it was the excessive desire to score more goals for the goal difference that led us to make mistakes,” added Locatelli.

“We scored a lot of goals, but conceded too many as well. These three points are golden, especially after a match like that.”

If there is something Italy can celebrate, it is the emergence of a growing attacking partnership between Kean and Mateo Retegui.

“They are truly talented strikers, and also really nice guys, which is crucial for us in the present and the future.”

The result puts Italy into second place in the 2026 World Cup qualifying group, on nine points along with Israel, but with a game in hand.