BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 5: Italy’s Giacomo Raspadori celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 5, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Gennaro Gattuso’s assistant manager Luigi Riccio admitted that Italy’s starting system against Estonia was a nominal 4-4-2, thanks mainly to the movement of Giacomo Raspadori on the left.
The match against Estonia will kick off at 19:45 UK time (18:45 GMT) at the Lecoq Arena in Tallinn.
You can follow all the builds and action happening on our live blog.
Tonight’s match will be available to watch live in the UK and Ireland on Amazon Prime Video. Supporters in the US can watch via DirecTV Stream, Sling TV and Tubi TV.
Italy’s remaining hopes of dropping a point against Norway or reducing their goal difference advantage in the group will all but be abandoned after tonight’s 5-0 win over Israel, in which Erling Haaland scored a hat-trick despite missing the same penalty twice.
“Norway’s result cannot affect us. We are focused on our two matches and cannot control the other results. So we can only think about our own match,” assistant manager Riccio told Sky Sports Italia.
Italy tries something new against Estonia
Gattuso adopted a 4-4-2 formation, but due to injuries to Mattia Zaccagni and Matteo Politano, he used Bologna winger Riccardo Orsolini and Atletico Madrid forward Raspadori on the flanks.
“The important thing is to take on the role and characteristics of each player. Naturally, Orsolini will control the right flank, but we want something different from Raspadori, because that area can also be filled by players coming from behind him,” added the Italian tactician.
This suggests that Federico Dimarco or Alessandro Bastoni will play a more advanced attacking role on the left, allowing Raspadori to cut inside and act as a support striker.
What is a bit strange is that the two centre-backs, Riccardo Calafioli and Bastoni, are both left-handed and have a noticeable tendency to play forward from the defense.
“It will take some time for these systems to work, but it is because of the hard work and readiness of these players to participate that we are able to make these choices.”
On the other hand, Italy continues to see a trend of two pure centre-forwards working together, as Matteo Letegui and Moise Kean form a good duo.
“The two strikers work well together, partly because they have shown positive reactions in training. They enjoy playing together, they look out for each other and we welcome this combination of forwards.”
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