Italy beats Israel in a surreal atmosphere and guarantees its place in the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup. Donnarumma and Retegui are good news for Gattuso, but for the Azzurri it was a step backwards
And now they begin 168 most difficult days for Italian football. From now until March 31, 2026, the date of the play-off final leading to the 2026 World Cup, an evening that the Azzurri plan to spend on the pitch to gain the pass that leads to the final phase. Five months and a handful of days to prepare for the double commitment that cannot be missed: the victory in an armored Udine against Israel (3-0) gives Gattuso the green light for the playoffs, which have become the maximum objective given that Norway did not leave even a glimmer of hope open after mistreating us in Oslo in June.
It wasn’t a great Italy. On the contrary. The worst of the Gattuso era and the suspicion is that it wasn’t just the fault of the attentive and more than dignified performance of an opponent who had been asphalted by Haaland and his teammates a few days ago. Team under pace for a long time, confused in the lines of play and often technically imprecise. First half rewatchable, final part of the second half much better.
The coach feared the Israeli match because historically the national team suffers from the second close match, the freezing climate inside Friuli (whistles for the Israeli anthem) and fiery outside certainly didn’t help. It was not the ideal setting to offer the best and the best was not seen.
Italy, the good news beyond the victory: Donnarumma and Retegui
The positive side of the coin, in addition to the victory which seals the passage to the play-offs, is given by the redemption of Gigio Donnarumma who had made a serious mistake in Tallinn: a couple of saves solved defensive problems and avoided further trouble. And then Mateo Reteguiwho won the opening penalty and claimed to take it after the blackout against Estonia and then repeated himself with a Del Piero-like goal: there are 11 in 24 appearances, 5 with Gattuso who received 12 out of a total of 16 from his attackers. Interesting fact, to be consolidated between now and the World Cup.
For Rino the balance sheet is a complete one: all successes. It is clear that already from November the level will rise and the quality of the national team will also have to increase and the match at San Siro against Norway, in fact irrelevant for direct qualification for the World Cup, will serve to increase the self-esteem of a group that needs to build armor before diving into the purgatory of the play-offs.
Italy, all doubts after the victory against Israel
The tactical structure also needs to be reviewed because Italy has given its best, up to this moment, with the ultra-offensive module with double center forward and wingers who attack the opponent’s penalty area. Is it a coincidence that, by changing the score, there was less fluidity against Israel? There is no time to answer this question, but there is the certainty that it is unlikely that Gattuso will be able to propose the ‘full speed ahead’ version when he is called upon to play inside or outside.
Time is a fundamental factor like mental solidity. The play-offs are scary and evoke the ghost of two bitter disappointments, first of all Gattuso will have to work on his players’ heads. The general rehearsal is in November. In March there will be no safety net.
