Bonucci: ‘Italy changed a few things’ after chaotic 5-4 victory with Israel

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Leonardo Bonucci of Italy 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)

Italy assistant Leonardo Bonucci confirms they ‘changed a few things’ after the 5-4 win over Israel and are ready for tonight’s World Cup qualifier.

It kicks off at the Stadio Friuli in Udine at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This match is not to be taken for granted, as it is a head-to-head for second place in the group behind runaway leaders Norway.

Bonucci assures Italy learned from Israel match

“We’ve seen important signals from the squad, with two good training sessions,” Bonucci told RAI Sport after the 3-1 win in Estonia.

“We know that Israel are a strong team and will try to hit us on the counter-attack, but we want to bring home all three points.

“They should play with more or less the same approach that we saw in Debrecen. Their quality is above all from the midfield up, so we need to limit that danger.”

It is also notable that last month the Azzurri only squeezed a dramatic 5-4 victory against Israel on neutral turf in Hungary, the toughest test yet under Gennaro Gattuso.

“We have made a few changes since then, but above all drilled into the players that they are strong and capable of defending both zonally and man-marking,” added Bonucci.

“My role in the staff is working on set plays, but I share that with the coach and all the others. We’ve got to be a team, not just a defence. The first to help out in defence must be the strikers, and the goalkeeper is the first to begin the attacking moves.

“At every moment of the match, we must think as a team.”

Although a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza a few days ago, security concerns remain extremely high and there are thousands protesting outside the Stadio Friuli in Udine.

There are expected to be more people outside the arena as inside for this game, as only circa 10,000 should be allowed into the stands.

There will be a minute’s silence before kick-off following the death of three carabinieri police officers in Castel d’Azzano this morning, near Verona.

They were trying to aid a forced eviction when struck by an explosion, with 13 others injured, as the house was booby-trapped.