Gennaro Gattuso faced a challenging situation when he took over from Luciano Spalletti as Italy’s manager. The Azzurri had just suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Erling Haaland’s Norway in Oslo and had a tough time overcoming Moldova in Reggio Emilia.
Under the guidance of the World Cup-winning midfielder, the team did show improvement and started scoring more freely. However, a bitter 4-1 loss to Norway at San Siro—the worst home defeat in Italy’s history in over seven decades—sent them spiraling into a third consecutive playoff appearance, starkly highlighting how far they are from being among the world’s top teams.
Advertisement
The Playoffs Approach
While Italy’s spot at the World Cup is not yet finalized, online betting platforms remain optimistic about their chances. The betting odds on https://www.luckyrebel.la/sportsbook/soccer/fifa-world-cup currently stand at 35/1, more favorable than those for Belgium, Croatia, or the co-hosting United States. However, before anything else, the playoffs are imminent, and Gattuso must make critical decisions regarding his strikers.
Currently, he is likely holed up in his Milan home, focused on a laptop, reviewing grainy footage of Mateo Retegui in the Saudi Pro League as he effortlessly dismantles Al-Hazem’s defense. With five goals in three games, Gattuso reassures himself that numbers don’t lie. But then a defender mishandles the ball, leading to another easy finish for Retegui, prompting Gattuso to confront yet another mental crisis.
The Recent Pain
Italy’s fans are all too familiar with the pain. The 2017 failure against Sweden saw Gianluigi Buffon resigned in tears at age 39 as the Swedes advanced to Russia. The stunning defeat to North Macedonia in 2022—marked by Trajkovski’s heart-wrenching goal—remains etched in memory as a dark milestone in Italy’s post-war football history. Most recently, last fall’s crushing 4-1 loss to Norway, in which Italy was thoroughly outplayed at home and away, has pushed them back into the playoffs, eliciting feelings of a nation that has seemingly forgotten how to qualify for major tournaments.
Advertisement
Three campaigns, three disappointments—against Sweden, North Macedonia, and Norway. Italy is no longer a sleeping giant; it resembles a sleepwalker teetering on the brink, with the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo on March 26 serving as the critical juncture where the sleepwalking must end or risk falling into an irretrievable abyss.
The dilemma afflicting Gattuso isn’t merely tactical; it’s existential. As he evaluates his striking options, four candidates emerge, none of whom would have overshadowed legends like Christian Vieri or Filippo Inzaghi. The era of Alessandro Del Piero brought forth natural goal-scorers who thrived under playoff pressure. But now, Gattuso must determine which of his current options can deliver the crucial goals to end Italy’s 12-year absence from the World Cup stage.
Mateo Retegui
Retegui stands as Italy’s most reliable international striker, boasting 11 goals in 26 caps and finishing as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals at Atalanta in the 2024-25 season. A true predator in the penalty box, Retegui’s movement often leaves defenders in the dust. Recently, he made the switch to Al-Qadsiah at age 26. Despite a stellar season, there are questions about whether the Saudi Pro League adequately prepares him for the international stage.
Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Mateo Retegui of Italy celebrates with teammates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match against Estonia on September 05, 2025.
Advertisement
The harsh reality—one that La Gazzetta dello Sport may struggle to voice—is that if Retegui misses a crucial chance against Northern Ireland, the backlash will be severe. His impressive international tally demands a starting position, but will he remain in sync with his teammates come March after months in a less competitive league?
Gianluca Scamacca
Scamacca shone in 2023-24, scoring 12 goals and providing six assists, playing a pivotal role in leading Atalanta to Champions League qualification. At 195 centimeters, he combined aerial prowess with notable technical skills reminiscent of Ibrahimović. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued him since—an ACL tear in August 2024, followed by thigh tendon surgery in February 2025, and a knee withdrawal in September 2025. This season, he’s logged 959 Serie A minutes with six goals, including three important Champions League goals in just eight matches.
Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images
BERLIN, GERMANY – JUNE 29: Gianluca Scamacca of Italy looks dejected after the team’s elimination from UEFA EURO 2024 against Switzerland on June 29, 2024.
Advertisement
Atalanta is the only Serie A team to advance to the Champions League Round of 16, and Scamacca has played a vital role in this success. His fitness for the vital two legs remains unclear, and in contrast to his club performance, his international record is lacking, with only one goal in 22 appearances for Italy.
Pio Esposito
Pio Esposito may have no memory of Del Piero’s majestic moments against Germany, nor does he carry the weight of the traumatic 2022 loss to North Macedonia. Just eight years old during Italy’s last World Cup appearance, at 20, his current experience with Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram in a treble-chasing Inter team means he steps into the spotlight without the baggage of an anxious history—either a boon or a potential downfall.
Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Norway on November 16, 2025.
Advertisement
With four goals and three assists across just 294 Serie A minutes and two goals and two assists in the Champions League, he has already claimed titles wearing the blue shirt at the U-19 European Championship and as a runner-up in the U-20 World Cup—accomplishments that exceed those of his rivals vying for a starting position.
The previous failures against Sweden and North Macedonia involved a team gripped by psychological paralysis. Perhaps youthful fearlessness is the answer—though it could just as easily lead to disaster. Starting Esposito against Northern Ireland could either mark a bold new direction for the Azzurri or a reckless decision with no safety net. There is little middle ground.
Moise Kean
At 25, he experienced a notable resurgence during the 2024-25 season at Fiorentina, scoring 19 league goals and briefly sparking hopes of a permanent breakthrough. However, the 2025-26 season has yielded only eight goals in 23 Serie A matches, marking a slight regression after an impressive debut campaign in Florence.
Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
DORTMUND, GERMANY – MARCH 23: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates his goal during the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinal against Germany on March 23, 2025.
Advertisement
His speed and athleticism have made him a troublesome opponent for defenders, but his finishing has been inconsistent this season. Italy cannot afford to wager on his performances during the playoff semifinal, and Gattuso faces a significant choice regarding his line-up. Both fans and bettors alike will be eagerly anticipating his decision.