In his first match as Italy`s head coach, Gennaro Gattuso led the team to an impressive 5-0 win against Estonia in Bergamo. Despite the convincing scoreline, Gattuso stressed that Italy must combine their technical quality with a fighting spirit to succeed.
The match remained scoreless until the 58th minute when Moise Kean broke the deadlock. This was followed by a brace from Mateo Retegui, and goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Alessandro Bastoni.
Gattuso implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation, a significant shift from his predecessor Luciano Spalletti`s tactics. The new coach acknowledged the risks of this attacking approach but praised his team`s performance, particularly their work on the flanks and pressing.
“This team has quality, but quality alone is not enough,” Gattuso emphasized. “We need to play with intensity, press hard, and show hunger. I believe we demonstrated all of these qualities today.”
The former World Cup winner also spoke about the emotional aspect of his new role, mentioning how he was moved during the national anthem. He dedicated the victory to his family, particularly his wife, who has supported him throughout his career.
Looking ahead, Italy faces a challenging path in their World Cup 2026 qualifying group. They currently trail group leaders Norway and will face Israel in their next match. Gattuso acknowledged the difficult political situation surrounding the Israel game but focused on the sporting aspect.
Gattuso`s approach seems to be a return to Italy`s traditional strengths. “Italy were masters at combining skill with determination, and we need to rediscover that spirit,” he concluded, setting the tone for his tenure as national team coach.