Gattuso: ‘Italy wanted to attack and that means taking risks’ after 5-0 victory

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy during 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 explained his tactical approach for the Italy debut to crush Estonia 5-0 in Bergamo, warning they ‘wanted to attack and that means taking a few risks.’

It took a while to get going, but once Moise Kean broke the deadlock on 58 minutes, it was much easier with Mateo Retegui’s double, Giacomo Raspadori and Alessandro Bastoni rounding out a 5-0 victory over Estonia.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Gattuso hails Italy attitude

“We have to thank the lads for the performance, because we were only lacking a goal in the first half,” Gattuso told RAI Sport.

“The lads have shown such a great attitude over these days, they worked really hard. The first game is done, they deserve all the credit, and now we have to prepare for the next match.”

Gattuso ran a risk by using the 4-2-3-1 formation with Kean, Retegui, Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Politano together.

“We played with two strikers, we knew that we could allow a few counter-attacks, because we wanted to attack and that means taking a few risks at this level. Playing against a side that was a little weaker than us, with all due respect, it was only fair to take this approach,” continued the coach.

“Nothing can ever be taken for granted and they deserve credit for their attitude throughout. We have an objective, which is to make the people happy and give enthusiasm back to the Italians.

“Everyone knows that I love a team that fights hard, because you can make mistakes, but you need the right attitude. Now we prepare for Monday.”

Italy’s next test is against Israel on Monday evening, which will be played on neutral turf in Debrecen, Hungary.

This is a direct head-to-head for second place behind Norway, as Israel won comfortably away to Moldova this evening.

Luciano Spalletti was sacked after the opening two games of this 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, a 3-0 defeat in Norway and 2-0 victory over Moldova in June, but Gattuso had to wait until today to make his debut on the Azzurri bench.