Italy resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a crucial Group I clash against Estonia at Atalanta’s home ground this week.
The Azzurri, under new head coach Gennaro Gattuso, host the Baltic side as they aim to claw back ground on group leaders Norway. Sitting third in the table and nine points adrift of the leaders, Gattuso will demand urgency and precision from his side in front of a sold-out home crowd.
Italy predicted lineup and team news vs Estonia
Italy team news
Sandro Tonali has recovered from a shoulder injury suffered at Newcastle and is available after being a pre-match doubt. The 25-year-old will be pivotal in midfield alongside Nicolo Barella and Bryan Cristante in Gattuso’s preferred 4-3-3.
Gianluca Scamacca returns to the squad for the first time since Euro 2024 after overcoming a long-term knee issue. The Atalanta striker could lead the line in place of Moise Kean.
Three players earn their first senior call-ups: Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni, Bologna midfielder Giovanni Fabbian and Inter junior Francesco Pio Esposito. All may feature off the bench as the head coach seeks fresh impetus.
Gattuso stressed that Italy must blend “confidence and dignity” without obsessing over goals, noting the squad’s responsibility to restore national pride after their poor start.
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Italy predicted lineup
Italy predicted XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Bastoni, Cambiaso; Tonali, Frattesi, Barella; Raspadori, Scamacca, Retegui
When does the match kick off?
The qualifier will begin at 7:45pm BST on Friday.
How to watch Italy vs Estonia?
The match will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video pay-per-view in the UK.
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