Italy still have doubts preparing for Estonia match | OneFootball

Gennaro Gattuso continues to deal with some doubts going into Italy’s World Cup qualifier against Estonia, with the wings and midfield the main concerns.

It kicks off in Tallinn on Saturday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

First Italy training under Gennaro Gattuso on September 1, 2025.

The Azzurri were forced into some changes by injuries, because both Matteo Politano of Napoli and Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni pulled out of the squad, and they started when Italy beat Estonia 5-0 in September.

This opens up the possibility for two very different approaches to the wings, which can make this more of a 4-4-2 formation or alternatively a 4-2-3-1.

Gattuso keeps Italy and Estonia guessing

BERGAMO – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia and Sport Mediaset maintain the big doubts are in those roles, where Leonardo Spinazzola could go on the right and Andrea Cambiaso on the left for a more defensive idea.

The more attacking and open version would have Giacomo Raspadori and Nicolò Cambiaghi taking the wide roles, or Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini.

Another possible change could see another central midfielder introduced, with Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli eager to step in.

As for the rest of the team, that would appear to be set in stone, including Riccardo Calafiori in central defence, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean together upfront.

Italy probable (4-4-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Spinazzola, Tonali, Barella, Cambiaso; Kean, Retegui