Gattuso press conference: Every word Italy coach said on Estonia, debutants and Donnarumma | OneFootball

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Join us for live updates from Gennaro Gattuso’s press conference in Coverciano as Italy prepare for World Cup qualifying matches against Estonia and Israel.

The CT arrives in the press room at 14:00 CET today (13:00 GMT).

Gattuso was appointed in June to replace Luciano Spalletti.

Football Italia is among the accredited media in Coverciano today.

Later on, the Azzurri will train under Gattuso for the first time, with the entire training session open to the media.

Gattuso has given the first Italy call-up to Giovanni Leoni and Francesco Pio Esposito.

The ex-Parma defender has joined Liverpool this summer, while Pio Esposito returned to Inter after a two-year loan spell at Spezia in Serie B.

The promising striker scored his first senior goal for Inter earlier this summer in a 1-0 win over River Plate in the Club World Cup.

Italy will host Estonia in Bergamo on September 5 in Gattuso’s debut as the new Azzurri head coach. The game against Israel is technically an away fixture and will be played on neutral turf in Debrecen.

That's all from Gattuso's press conference

Stay tuned for more stories and analysis from Italy’s training ground including the first training session under the new coach.

2025-09-01 14:00:15

Impact and back to four-man defence

“Many of these players have played with a four-man defence. If I don’t feel something deeply, they understand it after five minutes. We’ll build up with three players, but playing with three defenders brings about having a low block, and I don’t like it.”

“We’ve certainly been here since Saturday with the staff, and we’ve taken our jobs apart a bit to jot down situations to work on. There is another important aspect: you are no longer accustomed to spending 7-8 days locked in a hotel. The most important thing is to make them feel good together; don’t just discuss tactics and football. This is the key; the important thing is to be a cohesive team.”

2025-09-01 13:28:32

Pio Esposito and other young players

“When I see a player, I must be impressed by the personality. I think these young players already possess the ability to play like experienced players. I saw Leoni play on an open field against Lukaku last year. They are ready. Perhaps, at their age, we didn’t have the audacity they have, and I want to reward them for this aspect. Then, of course, quality is the foundation of everything.”

2025-09-01 13:24:24

Three debutants and stadium sold out

“It’s hard to say if they are ready. Being ready comes from experience — the more you play, the more you grow. I called them up because I think Fabbian is similar to Frattesi: he fills the box well, he also has physicality and important timing when making runs. I called him because he’s similar to Frattesi. Pio has technique and is technically strong. Leoni was born in 2006 and has significant speed peaks. We’ll see them here. I haven’t given them anything as a gift; I believe they have specific qualities that can fit into this group.”

For the fans: “I want to thank all those who bought the tickets and will come to the stadium. That’s what we need. And I want to send a message for the game in Udine in October [vs. Israel]: We need our people. A big thank you to Bergmo and the club for making the stadium available. We hope we can make a big performance

2025-09-01 13:22:06

“It’s not difficult to make the call-ups. We left Ricci, Buongiorno, and Cristante at home, along with others who are still part of the project. It’s not difficult. As for formations, many teams play with three at the back, but then you have to choose the right players for the system. The league has become very difficult, beyond just tactical knowledge. You have to be sharp, it’s always man against man, and it has become tough to play in. Many teams press high, and it’s not easy at all.”

2025-09-01 13:21:47

Strikers

“All four can play with each other.  When I talk about strikers, I mean central strikers. Esposito, Scamacca, Retegui, and Kean can complement each other and play as a pair up front.

“I spoke with Chiesa, and we made the decision together. He didn’t feel ready to come back because he wanted to be at 100%. We decided it calmly together. Raspadori has played 10–20 minutes in the first matches, but it’s difficult to find players with similar characteristics, and Raspadori can give me something different.”

2025-09-01 13:21:34

“I want to see a sense of belonging, the willingness to make sacrifices, and also to accept hearing uncomfortable things from teammates. Fear cannot enter our mindset. We have to be strong in this regard. We can’t panic after 10 minutes at 0-0. We need to be a team, to fight blow for blow. We need a group of 27–28 players, which has always been our strength. Our history shows that character has never been lacking, and we have to bring that back. From Estonia we should expect a team that plays on the counter, but when they have the ball they want to play it, so we have to be smart in forcing them into mistakes, because they are also good at building from the back.”

2025-09-01 13:16:18

No fear

“I’m fully charged, with no worries or fear. I feel a great sense of responsibility — that’s just how I am. I’m fired up, and in the end we’ll take stock. Fear? No.”

2025-09-01 13:13:27

“I thanked Atalanta. Scamacca is not at 100%, but he stayed on with a sense of belonging, and I really believe in that. It’s fundamental. Today, I thank Atalanta for their cooperation, and I hope this relationship continues in the future. I don’t want to put the club or the player in a difficult position. The federation has everything it needs to monitor the players, and I think it’s right to continue along this path. Today at 5 p.m., I’ll speak to the team before training, but there’s not much to say. What matters is working together.”

2025-09-01 13:12:15

Relationship with the players

“I often call the players, I bother them on the phone. I thank the clubs that made us feel at home, and I believe that at that moment there was little to say to the players. It was a greeting, but the most important thing was talking about football in all its aspects with the directors of the clubs we visited, and I thank them for the way they welcomed us. The tour isn’t over yet, there are still 10–11 teams left. I thank Gigio and Bonucci for accompanying me, it was something positive.”

2025-09-01 13:10:20

System and regista role

“If today you want to defend with a back four, the full-backs are back after being unavailable for a while. The call-ups were made based on the principle of defending with four at the back, as well as on physical condition and playing time. Some have played a bit less, but I wanted them in the group because they are important figures.

As for the Regista: “It depends on the game, but the call-ups have been made to field the team in the best possible way. It depends on whether we play with two or three central midfielders.”

2025-09-01 13:08:11

Preparation for Estonia and Israel

“We need to focus on preparing for the match properly. First, there’s Estonia — we have to play well and win. Our history shows that we haven’t had many big wins. We need to play the game, prepare it well, and go in with a sense of belonging; we must not prepare it thinking about scoring many goals.”

Controversy over the game vs. Israel

“I am a man of peace and it hurts my heart to see civilians and children affected, it hurts my heart. However, we are working hard, and the FIGC is also working diligently to find solutions and ensure a perfect game in Udine [next month], also from a safety perspective. Our duty is to do our job, but I hope a peace solution will be reached not only in Israel. It’s a thing that hits the heart and hurts the heart.”

2025-09-01 13:07:42

Gattuso updates

“Scamacca has a minor issue, but stays here. I thank him and Atalanta for their availability. I know you saw Donnarumma’s agent outside. He has undergone medical tests, which he’ll finalise today, then he’ll sign for Man City. Tonali also has a minor problem and must be managed, but the others are all 100% fit.”

“In the first Serie A round, there were just 97 Italian players on the pitch. I hope I’ll see more in the future, but we are not in such a bad situation.”

2025-09-01 13:01:49

Gattuso has arrived with Gravina. First communication from the FIGC: the game against Estonia is sold out.

2025-09-01 13:00:32