It has been a tricky previous 12 months for the Azzurri and an much more testing one lies in retailer. Giancarlo Rinaldi examines what might assist the nationwide staff return to its former glory.
You actually can’t fault him for effort. Each time you activate the tv to look at a Serie A recreation, it appears, you’ll get a close-up of him within the crowd. If nothing else, Rino Gattuso is hoovering up as a lot info as he can forward of one of the essential years within the historical past of the well-known blue colors of his nation, which he donned with such distinction.
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Italy have been put via the wringer in 2025 with the undesirable highlights of a reasonably grim 12 months. There was the rumbustious Nations League elimination by Germany as nicely, and a madcap match with Israel alongside some extra routine victories. In the midst of all of it, the Azzurri parted firm with Luciano Spalletti and turned to the snappy, snarling former midfielder as an alternative. The outcomes have been initially sturdy sufficient, however a actuality verify with Erling Haaland and firm steered that there’s a lot work to be executed in the event that they hope to even get to the World Cup in 2026.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Erling Haaland of Norway celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s second purpose in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Picture by Marco Luzzani/Getty Pictures)
For La Nazionale to overlook out on the prolonged get together in Mexico, Canada and the USA can be an enormous setback and one which might, undoubtedly, provoke extra requires an overhaul within the Italian Soccer Federation. In the event that they need to get there they should first at residence after which face a visit to both Wales or Bosnia – neither of which, on present kind, look as easy as they need to be for a rustic which has, lest we neglect, received the World Cup 4 occasions up to now.
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Half one in all Gattuso’s Christmas want record will undoubtedly be to maintain all his key gamers match for the important matches on the horizon. The lack of a midfield stalwart like Sandro Tonali or Nicolò Barella can be a hammer blow forward of such essential fixtures. No marvel he at all times appears just a little edgy every time he’s at a recreation – he’s most likely hoping no person administers one in all his personal trademark tackles on one of many Azzurri’s extra essential contributors.
One other factor to get sorted is his defence. There’s something that has not functioned for some time with the Italian again line, which appears unbelievable to consider in a nation the place the artwork type of stopping the opposition from scoring has been revered for generations. Regardless of having a crop of respectable gamers, one thing is lacking from the rearguard, which he should attempt to remedy sooner fairly than later. A delicate revolution is required to permit that unit to evolve into one which strikes worry into the guts of any attacker courageous sufficient to take it on. From that stable base, he might hope to construct a staff which might not solely get to the World Cup however may additionally progress previous the group levels.
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The emergence of some new faces to problem his previous guard would even be welcome. This squad has a stable sufficient core, however it’s positively in want of rejuvenation and seeing the likes of Francesco Pio Esposito get extra recreation time with would certainly be a lift. Italy have executed nicely sufficient at youth ranges of late to counsel that the expertise is there however it appears to stall resulting from lack of enjoying alternatives in Serie A. Boys who’ve gone to hunt their fortune overseas would possibly nicely have an element to play.
Up entrance, all he needs for Christmas is for Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui to thrive. If there was a optimistic from Gattuso’s arrival, it has been the dedication to play the 2 collectively which has introduced goalscoring rewards. He’ll hope they each hold match and that Fiorentina begin to see a revival of their fortunes to ensure that their talisman to strategy the large matches in March with a level extra confidence than he would proper now.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Mateo Retegui of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring his staff’s second purpose in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Picture by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Pictures)
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And, lastly, there’s the Federico Chiesa conundrum. It’s now greater than 4 years since his breakout event on the delayed Euro 2020 and the way Italy might do with that participant in that kind again within the fold. None of the present large choices provide the drive and attacking risk that he did in his prime, however it’s a query of whether or not he’ll get many alternatives to point out it with Liverpool and the way a lot he feels he may give his nation. The cellphone line between participant and supervisor would possibly nicely stay open, however the clock is unquestionably ticking on getting the state of affairs sorted a method or one other.
This, and way more, can be racing via Rino’s thoughts over the festive season, little doubt. He can be itching to get to the play-off video games however, on the similar time, hope that Serie A – and elsewhere – can throw him up a number of options. Italy is not going to go into these video games, which can outline an period, with any nice confidence, however they’ll use them as a constructing block to reconstruct their fame as one in all soccer’s superpowers. Is Gattuso the person to get them there? Two important exams in springtime will give us a solution to that query a method or one other.