Preview for Italy v Estonia
There is little margin for error for Italy when they host Estonia in Bergamo tomorrow night.
The Azzurri are already in danger of missing out on the World Cup finals for the third successive time after a slow start to qualifying in Group I.
An opening matchday hammering by Norway in Oslo put them on the back foot and also saw the exit of coach Luciano Spalletti, although bizarrely he did hang around for the 2-0 defeat of Moldova in the same international break.
Gennaro Gattuso was the surprising choice to replace him after Claudio Ranieri rejected the role.
He comes in with Italy nine points adrift of Norway, who have a 100 per cent record after four games. Italy do have two matches in hand and will know they have to win both across the next few days, against Estonia and Israel – a match played in the Hungarian city of Debrecen – on Monday.
“I want to see a sense of belonging, the willingness to make sacrifices, and also acceptance of being told uncomfortable truths by team-mates. We cannot allow fear to enter our minds,” Gattuso said on Monday.
“We have to be strong. We can’t panic if the score is still 0-0 after 10 minutes,” he added. “We need to be a team, to fight blow for blow… History shows that we’ve never lacked character, and we have to bring that back.”
If Italy can’t overhaul Norway then second place and a spot in the playoffs will be the target.
Estonia realistically don’t have any chance of qualification. They will, however, hope to finish above Moldova, who they beat 3-2 in March.
Team News for Italy v Estonia
Gattuso is likely to employ a four-man defence after Italy played with three centre-backs under Spalletti.
Moise Kean is set to spearhead the attack ahead of Mateo Retegui, Giacomo Raspadori and the fit-again Gianluca Scamacca.
Estonia are without Karol Mets due to injury.
Predicted line-ups for Italy v Estonia
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Locatelli, Tonali; Politano, Zaccagni, Kean
Estonia: Hein; Tur, Kuusk, Paskotsi, Saliste; Shein, Soomets; Yakovlev, Kait, Sinyavskiy; Sappinen
How to watch Italy v Estonia: TV and online streams
Italy versus Estonia kicks off tomorrow at 7.45pm UK time. It is not on UK TV but can be streamed via Amazon on their pay-per-view service.
Stats for Italy v Estonia
- Italy have won the World Cup four times but not qualified for the finals since 2014
- Estonia have never reached a major tournament
Prediction for Italy v Estonia
Anything other than a win for Italy would be a disaster and represent the worst possible start for Gattuso.
We think Italy win with a bit to spare.
Prediction: Italy 2-0 Estonia
