ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Italy’s new coach Gennaro Gattuso attends a press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Coach Gennaro Gattuso has been impressed with Federico Dimarco’s development at Inter and has revealed that Guglielmo Vicario will be included in the starting XI for Italy’s match against Moldova.
The match will kick off on Thursday at 19:45 (Japan time) at Chisinau’s Stadionul Zimbul.
This will be the penultimate game in Group I, as the Azzurri will play Norway at the San Siro on Sunday.
“There are no easy games in Europe, and there were none when I was a player and Marcello Lippi was a coach,” Gattuso insisted in a press conference.
“When Arrigo Sacchi won 3-1, I was just telling Gigi Buffon about it. You have to respect Moldova. People are thinking about the 11-1 result against Norway, but it was a one-off.
“We have to give them a lot of respect tomorrow because we had to sweat to beat them in Reggio Emilia.”
Gattuso brings big changes to Italy in Moldova
That said, Italy have revamped their starting XI, with Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca and Atletico Madrid striker Giacomo Raspadori confirmed to start up front.
There are many other players who are resting, such as Gianluigi Donnarumma and DiMarco.
“I can confirm there are a lot of changes, but that’s because I have a lot of faith in the players. Their attitude in training this week is more than just throwing scraps, they deserve this opportunity.”
“Vicario will be in goal instead of Donnarumma. Matteo Gabbia will not start, but he will also get minutes.”
Gattuso had particular praise for Inter wing-back Dimarco, but also made some harsh comments towards former Nerazzurri manager Simone Inzaghi.
“There was a widespread belief that DiMarco could only play 60 to 65 minutes per game, but he worked hard to shed that label and had very strong performances for some time.
“I’m sure there will be changes tomorrow, but DiMarco is the one to rest.”
Dimarco was regularly one of the first players to be substituted by Inzaghi at Inter, as were players with yellow cards.
Even if Italy beat Norway on Sunday, it is highly unlikely that they will overtake Norway at the top of the group due to their huge goal difference.
With that in mind, the Azzurri and Gattuso are already preparing for the 2026 World Cup playoffs in March.
“Sport becomes emotional when you see someone holding the flag. We’re proud to hear that six to seven million viewers tune in to watch the Nazionale every game. We want to make people fall in love with this team.”
“Love for the jersey is something we must never lack, it’s what I feel when I meet supporters at any stadium and it’s what the players must feel too.
“We all want to see Italy play in the World Cup.”
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