Gattuso: ‘Italy could change for Israel, beware of transitions’ after 5-0 debut victory

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy looks on prior to the National anthems prior to 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 hinted at changes for Italy against Israel in the crucial World Cup qualifier, warning repeatedly they must ‘beware of those transitions.’

It kicks off at the Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

This fixture counts as an Israeli home match, but is being played on neutral turf in Hungary due to the lack of safety guarantees.

The new CT had an ideal debut with the 5-0 victory over Estonia on Friday evening, but Italy are still playing catch-up in the 2026 World Cup qualifying group.

Norway remain top of Group I with 12 points after four games, with Israel on nine, while Italy follow on six points from three matches.

Gattuso open to a new Italy approach

“These are very different teams,” Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia.

“Estonia are very physical, while Israel have more quality and play with those effective transitions. In the last seven games, they won six and lost only to Norway, where they didn’t deserve defeat.

“Their greatest strength is they can hurt you with those transitions, so that is going to be the key.”

Mattia Zaccagni did not participate in training today and there are suggestions he could be one of the changes from the 4-2-3-1 formation against Estonia, adopting a slightly more conservative approach.

“We’ll see tomorrow, but the important thing is to rely on our guarantees, so intensity, determination, taking the game to the opponent, but also being aware of those transitions.”

Will Italy use two strikers upfront again, after Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui together?

“We’ll see tomorrow,” replied Gattuso.

Inevitably, there were questions over whether the match ought to be going on at all, following calls for Israel to be suspended by UEFA and FIFA over the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“As I’ve said over the last few days, it is sheer bad luck we’re in this group, also because Israel are a good team who can cause us problems,” noted Gattuso.

“As for the rest, we all know how painful it is to see what is happening, with people and children losing their lives. I don’t want to say more than that.

“We are here to play a football match and respect our profession. There is a lot of respect and a lot of pain around this event.”