Gattuso Italy assistant reveals essential Raspadori role in 4-4-2

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Giacomo Raspadori of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal 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)

Gennaro Gattuso’s assistant manager Luigi Riccio confirms that Italy’s starting system against Estonia is a 4-4-2 in name only, thanks largely to the movement of Giacomo Raspadori on the left.

The game with Estonia kicks off at the Le Coq Arena in Tallinn at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

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

Tonight’s match will be available to watch live in the UK and Ireland on Amazon Prime Video. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via DirecTV Stream, Sling TV and Tubi TV.

Any residual hopes Italy had of Norway dropping points or lowering their advantage on goal difference in the group can be pretty much abandoned after tonight’s 5-0 victory over Israel, where Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick despite missing the same penalty twice.

“Norway’s result cannot affect us, we are focused on our two games, and we cannot control the other results, so we can only think about our own matches,” assistant manager Riccio told Sky Sport Italia.

Italy trying new things against Estonia

Gattuso has set his side out in a 4-4-2 formation, but with Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Politano injured, they have chosen Bologna winger Riccardo Orsolini and Atletico Madrid forward Raspadori on the flanks.

“It’s about occupying the role and the characteristics of each player. Obviously, Orsolini will control the right flank, whereas we are asking for something different from Raspadori, as that area can also be filled by those who are coming up behind him,” added the Italy tactician.

This suggests a more advanced attacking role for Federico Dimarco and even Alessandro Bastoni down the left, allowing Raspadori to cut inside and be more of a support striker.

It is a little curious that the two centre-backs, Riccardo Calafiori and Bastoni, are both left-footed and have a marked tendency to push forward from defence.

“It will take a little time to get those systems working, but what allows us to make these choices is the hard work and readiness of these players to get involved.”

Meanwhile, Italy continue the trend of having two pure centre-forwards working together, as Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean make a good pairing.

“The two strikers work together, also because they give us positive responses in training. They enjoy playing together, seek each other out, and we welcome that combination of the forwards.”