After two spectacular wins last month, Italy go aim to stay in the race for automatic World Cup 2026 qualification when dem visit Estonia on Saturday night.
The two teams go meet for Tallinn, just few weeks after the Azzurri knack Estonia five goals for home, as new coach Gennaro Gattuso dey plan straight qualification go next summer tournament.
Match Preview
After dem fail qualify for two World Cups back-to-back, Italy begin their quest to end 12 years of pain with a 3-0 loss to Norway — wey finally end Luciano Spalletti time as coach and give Gattuso chance to take over.
The 2006 world champion inherit one team wey already dey far behind Norway for Group I, but him dey determined to make sure Italy no miss third straight World Cup.
With nine points behind and two games in hand, Italy enter the September international window dey play catch-up. Dem start well as dem sweep Estonia aside 5-0 for Bergamo. After dem finally break the deadlock just before one hour mark, Gattuso new-look team rush enter full force mode and score plenty goals before moving to Hungary three days later.
For that Hungary match, Italy face their likely rival for second place and playoff ticket — Israel. After trailing twice, Italy comeback strong to lead 4-2, but later concede two late goals for one mad match. Gattuso vex sotey him almost burst on the touchline, but Tonali score stoppage-time winner make am 5-4 and rescue the day.
Even though small wahala burst between Gattuso and Donnarumma after the match, Italy go first try to repeat their win over Estonia before the rematch against Israel next week in Udine.
While Italy still dey chase top spot — six points behind Norway but with one game in hand — Estonia don manage just three points from five games for Group I. Dem dey 129th for FIFA World Rankings — 119 places below Italy — and dem must win their last three games to even dream of qualifying. More realistically, na fight with Moldova dem go get to avoid finishing last.
Jurgen Henn’s side don lose to Israel, Norway, and Italy (5-0), meaning their only win na 3-2 against Moldova for Chisinau. For their last friendly, dem play 0-0 against Andorra, and now dem never score in over 300 minutes of football. To break that drought go be priority.
After facing Italy on Saturday, Estonia go still host Moldova — wey fit be their only real chance to collect points.
Estonia World Cup Qualifying – Europe form: L W L L L
Estonia form (all competitions): L W L L L D
Italy World Cup Qualifying – Europe form: L W W W
Italy form (all competitions): L D L W W W
Team News
Even though Gattuso don talk say he fit switch to back-three when necessary, Italy go likely continue with four-man defence against this smaller opponent. Retegui and Kean combine well last month, scoring three goals between them, and dem fit start together again.
But Gattuso go need change the wings because Matteo Politano (Napoli) and Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio) both don withdraw from squad due to injury. To replace them, Leonardo Spinazzola and Roberto Piccoli join camp, but Raspadori (Atletico Madrid) plus Bologna duo Orsolini and Cambiaghi dey battle for starting spot.
Italy midfield don also get boost as Bryan Cristante return in-form, while Fiorentina youngster Hans Nicolussi Caviglia fit make debut.
For Estonia, coach Jurgen Henn name mostly familiar faces for his 26-man squad. PAOK forward Karel Mustmaa get first call-up, while captain Karol Mets return from injury hoping to add to his 100+ caps. But veteran striker Henri Anier dey suspended, so Rauno Sappinen go lead attack.
Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein — currently on loan at Werder Bremen — go start in goal after his solid performances, even though him concede four goals against Bayern Munich recently. Ex-Tottenham defender Maksim Paskotsi go start in defence.
Estonia possible starting lineup:
Hein; Schjonning-Larsen, Kuusk, Paskotsi, Saliste; Shein, Palumets; Yakovlev, Kait, Sinyavskiy; Sappinen
Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Orsolini, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali; Kean, Retegui
Prediction
We say: Estonia 0-3 Italy
Italy matches for qualifiers no dey ever too straightforward, but dem go still find way win this one clean. Estonia fit hold dem small like last time wey dem resist till 57th minute, but Italy class go show for second half. Gattuso boys go continue their push to chase Norway for the top spot.