Gennaro Gattuso has declared his mission to "give enthusiasm back" to the Italy faithful, commencing his tenure as Azzurri head coach with a resounding 5-0 victory over Estonia in World Cup qualifying. The match, held in Bergamo, witnessed a second-half goal blitz, spearheaded by Mateo Retegui's brace. Moise Kean, Giacomo Raspadori, and Alessandro Bastoni also etched their names onto the scoresheet, contributing to the comprehensive win.
"We have to thank the lads for the performance, because we were only lacking a goal in the first half. 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 told Rai Sport. The result holds significant importance for Italy, who are attempting to close the gap on Group I leaders Norway. They trail by six points but possess a game in hand, adding a layer of intrigue to their qualification campaign.
Gattuso's tactical approach involved deploying two strikers, a decision that he acknowledged carried inherent risks. "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," he explained.
The newly appointed coach emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of commitment and fighting spirit within the team. "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," Gattuso stated, setting the tone for his leadership.
Italy's dominant performance marked their first instance of scoring three or more goals in a match since September 2021, when they faced Lithuania. The victory also held special significance for Retegui, who made a triumphant return to Bergamo following his transfer from Atalanta to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadisiyah in July. His familiarity with the surroundings seemed to fuel his performance, as he spearheaded the Italian attack with two goals.
"I have many memories and emotions of being back home here. We showed great hunger, hard work and humility all week. We proved we’re still standing and want to fight for qualification," Retegui commented, reflecting on his return to Bergamo. "It’s always wonderful to be back home. We had a great season with Atalanta. I love the fans, but this felt a bit different. We played some great football and must continue like this in the next match."
Italy's next challenge is against Israel on neutral ground in Hungary. A victory in that match would propel them past their opponents into second place in the group, further solidifying their quest for World Cup qualification. Gattuso's appointment and the team's emphatic win over Estonia have instilled a sense of optimism among Italian supporters, who hope that the Azzurri can recapture their former glory under his guidance.
Adding to the excitement surrounding the match, Italy's official Twitter account shared a highlight reel of the game's most memorable moments.
