Italy Predicted Lineup vs Estonia: Gennaro Gattuso Ready To Make Wholesale Changes On Azzuri Managerial Debut

Gennaro Gattuso is expected to make some bold calls in his first match as the Azzurri manager and you can see our predicted lineup for Italy vs Estonia.

Who Did Gennaro Gattuso Call Up To Italy Squad?

The former Azzurri midfielder will take the managerial reins for the first time on September 5th, as Italy take on Estonia in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the Gewiss Stadium.

During his stellar playing career, Gattuso made 73 appearances for the Italian national team and played a pivotal role in the nation’s World Cup 2006 triumph – while also winning the European Championships with the U21 side.

Repeating this success as the country’s head coach will not be an easy task, but is something Gattuso will be trying to achieve at the 2026 World World Cup.

Italian supporters will be able to get a read of how well Gattuso will do as the leading man in the upcoming WC qualifiers against Estonia and Israel – but the icon has already divided opinion with his selected squad.

Gattuso is set to give three players their debut for Italy, as Pio Esposito, Giovanni Leoni and Giovanni Fabbian have all been promoted to the senior side.

Esposito earned a place after a recent run in the Inter Milan side, Leoni completed a huge move to Premier League champions Liverpool and Fabbian continues to impress at Bologna.

These inclusions have also lead to some major absences, with the biggest shock coming through Federico Chiesa, who will not feature for his nation after failing to make the squad.

The Liverpool star failed to make an impact for the Reds during their title-winning season and looked to on his way out of Merseyside after just one year with the club.

However, following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, Arne Slot was keen to keep a hold of the Italian and this was amplified after Chiesa came off the bench to score a vital goal against Bournemouth on the opening day of the Premier League campaign.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to keep his place in-between the sticks after completing a huge move to Manchester City, while Riccardo Calafiori has been rewarded with a call-up after a strong start with Arsenal.

Italy’s midfield was handed a major boost after Sandro Tonali was deemed to be fit enough following a recent injury scare with Newcastle and the former Milan star is set to be partnered by Nicolo Barella.

Gattuso’s biggest headache will come in the striker department, as the top two goalscorers in Serie A last season, Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean battle it out.

Retegui became the most expensive Italian player of all-time after completing a move to Saudi Arabia, while Kean stuck with Fiorentina despite rumors of a move away.

The Azzuri are expected to pick up all-three points in Bergamo and you can find our full Italy vs Estonia preview here.

Italy Predicted Lineup vs Estonia