Gattuso’s bold, attacking Italy faces Estonia with no room for error: “We need points, not calculations.” A third World Cup absence would be a sporting and economic disaster for the entire country.
Tallinn is cold tonight, but Italy is set on fire. Gennaro Gattuso’s side face Estonia in a must-win World Cup qualifier — a test of courage, identity, and survival. Training at Coverciano this week revealed an offensive mindset: Gattuso has drawn up a 4-2-4 formation featuring Kean and Retegui up front, with Orsolini and Raspadori pushing wide on the wings.
“There are no easy games,” Gattuso warned. “We must stay focused and avoid mistakes. From now on, we need points — no calculations.” His words carry the urgency of a man who knows that both the team’s and the nation’s pride are at stake.
Spirit and Strategy
Donnarumma leads the back line, flanked by Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, and Dimarco. Barella and Tonali anchor the midfield, tasked with pressing high and driving play forward. Spinazzola and Cambiaso are ready to step in. “With five substitutions, everyone must be ready,” Gattuso noted.
He wants his players to embody his own grit: hunger, humility, and heart.
The Money Behind the Mission
Beyond football, the stakes are huge. Missing out on the 2018 and 2022 World Cups cost the Italian FA roughly €73 million in lost FIFA bonuses, sponsorship deals, and merchandising. Another failure could be catastrophic.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, will feature a record prize pool of $896 million. A new absence would crush Italy’s brand and influence on the global stage. When Italy won Euro 2020, economists estimated a 0.7% GDP boost — around €12 billion for the national economy. A third missed World Cup would deliver the opposite effect: a major financial and reputational blow.
At the Crossroads
Italy must win tonight — not just for qualification, but to restore faith in its football and its future. As Gattuso put it, “We need points, not calculations.” Because this time, it’s not only about goals. It’s about identity, pride, and survival.
L’articolo Italy: tonight’s match against Estonia is a crucial stepping stone toward the USA World Cup proviene da Soccer Made In Italy.
