Donnarumma Sets the Tone: Italy Plans to Rewrite Its History Under Gattuso

Italy Aims to Write New Pages in Its History

The Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who plays for Manchester City, said the national team is determined to “write new pages in Italy’s history” under coach Gennaro Gattuso.

The squad had just visited the newly opened Calcio Museum at the Coverciano training complex, as part of preparations for the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Federation president Gabriele Gravina accompanied Donnarumma and Gattuso on the visit, underscoring the sense of purpose around the team’s next phase.

Donnarummа told reporters that there is a strong sense of responsibility, noting that Italy’s history is rich with titles and that the squad must work hard to add more chapters with the new coach, hoping to create many memorable moments. He also described the museum as a stunning place that gives him goosebumps.

The museum features artifacts from Italy’s World Cup wins in 1934, 1938, 1982, and 2006, with Gattuso part of the 2006 side that lifted the trophy.

Gattuso joked that he had intended to bring a keepsake from 2006 but that his mother guards it more closely than any defender guarding a flank. He added that it is meaningful to be there, with lots of fond memories on display.

Roster changes and readiness

Gattuso announced two forced changes in the squad due to injuries and fitness concerns. Last Saturday, Zacagni was ruled out for Italy and Lazio, replaced by Fiorentina forward Roberto Piccoli; on Monday, Matteo Politano was ruled out with an injury, and Napoli winger Leonardo Spinazzola was recalled to the squad, marking Spinazzola’s first call-up since September 2023.

Above the note, a full squad list followed, including goalkeepers Marco Carnesky (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham); defenders like Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiasao (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Brighton), Giovanni Di Lorenza (Napoli), and others such as Mattia Gabbia (Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), and Leonidas Spinazzola (Tottenham); midfielders Nicola Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Hans Nicolo Cafiglia (Fiorentina), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle); forwards Nicolò Cambiaggi (Bologna), Francesco Bia Espozito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Riccardo Ursolini (Bologna), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atlético Madrid), Matteo Rettigi (Al-Qadsia), Roberto Piccoli (Fiorentina).

What the Azurri have shown in qualifiers?

Italy sat second in Group 9 with 9 points from four games, six points behind the leaders Norway, with a game in hand. The campaign began poorly after a 3-0 away loss to Norway, a defeat that stirred doubts about coach Luciano Spalletti’s tenure.

Several reports suggested the federation would part ways with Spalletti, and even he conceded the possibility of leaving after Moldova’s match, regardless of the result.

Italy’s return to form came with a comfortable 2-0 win over Moldova at home, with goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiasso, earning three points and precipitating Spalletti’s dismissal.

A new chapter began as the federation appointed Gattuso, a Milan legend, as head coach. He began with a convincing 5-0 win over Estonia and a dramatic 5-4 success against Israel in the next fixture. At the moment, Italy has played four games—winning three and losing one—scoring 12 and conceding 7.

Italy now faces Estonia and Israel on the 11th and 14th of the month as part of the campaign to secure a direct spot in the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Two more punchlines to close the chapter: If Italy keeps building this momentum, the trophy cabinet might need a bigger shelf. And if Gattuso’s hair can inspire the team, surely the midfield will find its rhythm with a little extra bite – because even a snarl can be a tactic when the goal is excellence.