Gennaro Gattuso, Italy`s new head coach, is gearing up for his debut match against Estonia in the 2026 World Cup qualifier. The former midfielder emphasizes the importance of combining humility with confidence as his team prepares to face Estonia at the Stadio di Bergamo.
“We need both humility and confidence,” Gattuso stated in his pre-match press conference. “Humility is crucial when recovering from mistakes, while confidence is essential for taking calculated risks on the field.”
Gattuso, who took over from Luciano Spalletti in June, has been meticulously preparing for this match. “We`ve been analyzing Estonia for two months,” he revealed. “They`re skilled at building play from the back and can be dangerous on counter-attacks. We need to deliver a strong performance.”
The coach remained tight-lipped about his tactical approach, keeping fans and opponents guessing. However, he`s expected to shift from Spalletti`s three-man defense to either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation.
Addressing Italy`s recent struggles in developing young talent, Gattuso pointed to societal changes. “Kids don`t play street football anymore, and many youth centers have closed,” he noted. “We don`t lack talent, but young players aren`t getting enough opportunities to develop their skills.”
As Gattuso prepares for his first match at the helm of the Azzurri, all eyes will be on how he balances Italy`s traditional defensive strength with a more progressive attacking style.